Legal Solutions
Focused On Giving You The Strength To Begin Anew

Create A Trust With A California Lawyer You Can Trust

Managing your legacy can be hard work. A trust can help you control the assets you’ve worked so hard for and allow you to distribute those assets to the right beneficiaries at the appropriate time.

I’ve been helping Californians with trusts since I began my practice at The Law Offices of Diane Anderson, and I can help create and manage one that reflects your values and hopes for the future.

What Is A Trust?

A trust lets another person or institution, known as a trustee, oversee your assets. Trusts differ from wills because you can have much more control over a trust. Sometimes, a trust can allow you to maintain that control after you die. There are various types of trusts people can create, with the most common being:

  • Revocable trusts: A revocable trust is a trust you can easily change while you are still alive. Also, if you die or become incapacitated, your trustee can take over without power of attorney.
  • Irrevocable trusts: A trust you have little control over. While it can be more difficult to make changes, irrevocable trusts can protect your assets and reduce your federal and estate tax liability.

While revocable and irrevocable trusts are the most common, there are other types of trusts that can address your specific needs. Call 209-717-6150, and I can go over which options could be beneficial to you.

What Is The Purpose Of A Trust?

Trusts can serve many purposes and offer multiple benefits. While no trust is exactly the same, most can help you avoid probate, direct your assets to the appropriate beneficiaries and save your beneficiaries a lot of money.

What Do You Need To Create A Trust In California?

Before you create a trust, here’s what you’ll need to take stock of:

  • What assets you have: Bank accounts, vehicles, jewelry, family heirlooms and any property you own, etc.
  • Who you want your trustee to be: You want someone who is honest, organized, responsible and unbiased to oversee and distribute your assets.
  • Who you want as your beneficiaries: Maybe one of your kids will run the family business or you have another child with special needs who can’t provide for themselves. Or, perhaps a sibling or spouse cared for you when you were sick. Considering these factors can help you determine who you want your beneficiaries to be.
  • How much is going to your beneficiaries: Not only do you need to think about what assets will go to your beneficiaries, you will need to think about when those assets will be available. If beneficiaries are receiving money from the trust, you’ll want to determine how much they’ll get, when they’ll get it and for how long they’ll get it.

Sorting through all these details can be difficult – that’s why I’m here to help.

How Do Trusts Work?

Here is a breakdown of how to create and manage a trust:

  • The grantor hires an attorney and discusses the specific assets they would like to include in their trust, as well as the type of trust they’d like to set up.
  • Once the assets and type of trust are established, the attorney takes this information and writes it up in a formal document.
  • The grantor selects a trustee to oversee their trust and administer assets to their beneficiaries.
  • When it’s time to distribute assets, the trustee usually explains the terms and conditions of the trust to its beneficiaries.

Common Myths About Trusts

Many misconceptions about trusts keep people from obtaining one when they need one. Some of these myths and the truths behind them include:

  • Only wealthy people need them – in reality, anyone can benefit from a trust through proper estate planning.
  • Trusts only benefit the heirs – your trust, like a revocable living trust, can help you control when your beneficiaries receive their inheritance, even while you are living. This way, you can enjoy seeing your loved ones receive your gifts for them.
  • Trusts will always avoid probate – most trusts are able to avoid the probate process, but ones that are poorly created may still call for the probate process. I can help you develop a trust that meets your needs.

The Benefits Of Hiring An Attorney To Assist With Your Trust

As your legal representation, there is a lot I have to offer you while making your living trust or other type of trust. I can help you put your wishes to paper and make them legally secure. If you are updating your trust, I can help you account for anything that you may not have considered in the planning process. As your estate attorney, I can also help you appoint a trustworthy person as your trustee, so you can rest easy that someone you can count on is responsible for the obligations of your trust.

What To Put In Your Trust

While every trust is based on the unique needs of the person creating the legal document, I can help you include whatever trust assets your best interests in your trust, such as real estate assets, investment assets, vehicles, health savings accounts (HSAs), company property and assets, physical personal property, and cryptocurrency.

Get Help Setting Up Your Trust Today

Accounting for everything you’ll need to create a trust can feel daunting. However, when you have a dedicated and compassionate attorney like me on your side, you can plan for your and your beneficiaries’ futures with peace of mind. Set up a reduced-fee consultation today by calling 209-717-6150. You can also reach out through my online contact form – I look forward to speaking with you.