Should You Set Up a Revocable Trust?

Setting up a revocable trust can be a complex process that requires careful planning and attention to detail, which is why working with a revocable trusts attorney in Vancouver, WA is essential. Revocable trusts are an increasingly popular estate planning tool that offers many features that may help you reach your estate planning goals.

At Robert Russell Law Office, we understand the nuances of Washington state law and can help you navigate the legal requirements for setting up and maintaining a revocable trust. Whether you’re looking to protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, or minimize estate taxes, we can help. 

Contact our Washington estate planning lawyers today to schedule a free initial consultation by video or phone. Learn more about how we can guide you through the process and ensure your wishes are fulfilled.

What is a Revocable Trust?

A revocable trust, also known as a living trust or inter vivos trust, is an estate planning tool that lets you control how your property is handled during your life and after death. It is a legal arrangement in which the settlor transfers assets into a trust and designates a trustee to manage those assets for the benefit of the trust’s beneficiaries. 

A revocable trust can be amended, modified, or revoked by the grantor during their lifetime. The grantor retains control over the assets in the trust and can change the terms of the trust or revoke it entirely if they wish. However, it’s important to seek the legal advice of our Vancouver revocable trusts attorney to determine if this tool can be beneficial for your particular situation.

What are the Benefits of Creating a Living Trust?

Revocable trusts offer several benefits to individuals and families who are seeking to protect their assets and ensure their wishes are carried out. It can provide an excellent way to manage, protect and distribute your assets during your lifetime, in the event of incapacity, and after your death. A Vancouver revocable trusts attorney can help you determine if creating a revocable trust is right for you. Some of the key benefits of revocable trusts include:

Control and Flexibility

Revocable trusts allow the grantor to retain control over their assets and make changes to the trust during their lifetime. Because you create it, fund it, and manage it yourself as a trustee while you are alive, you can adjust how it works and what assets are inside it over time. This means that the grantor can adjust the terms of the trust to accommodate changing circumstances or new beneficiaries.

Avoidance of Probate

One of the most significant benefits of a revocable trust is that it can help avoid probate. Probate is a court-supervised process that can be expensive and time-consuming. The costs of going through probate can also cut down on what your beneficiaries inherit.  Assets held in a revocable trust are typically not subject to probate upon the grantor’s death, which means they can be distributed to beneficiaries more quickly and with greater privacy. 

Privacy

Because assets held in a revocable trust are typically not subject to probate, they can be distributed to beneficiaries more privately. This can be especially important for individuals who value their privacy and want to keep the details of their estate plan confidential. The property in your estate, the names of your beneficiaries, as well as the terms of the will be kept private.

Asset Protection

Revocable trusts can provide a degree of asset protection, as assets held in the trust are generally shielded from the claims of creditors or lawsuits. This can be particularly important for individuals who are concerned about potential liability, such as business owners or professionals in high-risk occupations.

Provide for You During Incapacity

In the event of your incapacity, a revocable trust can provide for a seamless transition for the management of your affairs. This avoids the delay of court-ordered guardianship. Be sure to name a successor or co-trustee to take over the management of the trust if you become unable to care for yourself.

What are the Limitations of a Revocable Trust?

While revocable trusts are a valuable estate planning tool, they do have some limitations, which should be carefully considered and weighed against the advantages. Working with a Vancouver WA revocable trusts attorney before deciding whether a revocable trust is highly recommended. Here are some of the limitations of a revocable trust:

No Creditor Protection

Assets held in a revocable trust are not protected from creditors. This means that if you have outstanding debts or are subject to a lawsuit, your assets in a revocable trust may still be vulnerable to seizure by creditors.

Lack of Tax Advantages

Revocable trusts do not provide any particular tax advantages. This is because the settlor can revoke the trust at any time and maintain control over the assets. Since you retain the right to use and enjoy the property, in the eyes of tax authorities, it remains your taxable property. Any income that is earned from trust assets is reported on the settlor’s individual income tax return. If reducing estate taxes is a priority for you, other estate planning tools such as irrevocable trusts may be more effective.

Cost Savings

One of the primary drawbacks to using a trust is the cost necessary to establish it. Revocable trusts can be expensive to set up, plus there are annual maintenance fees. 

Why Do I Need a Revocable Trusts Attorney in Washington?

A revocable trust is a powerful tool as you begin the process of estate planning. It offers flexibility that you cannot get from some other trusts or wills. While it is possible to create a revocable trust on your own, there are many reasons why it’s important to work with a revocable trust attorney in Vancouver, WA. Here are a few key reasons why:

  • In-Depth Knowledge of the Laws: We have the knowledge and experience to help you understand the legal and financial implications of different trust structures and ensure that your trust is drafted in compliance with state and federal laws.
  • Avoid Mistakes: We can help you ensure that your trust is structured properly and that you understand the implications of your decisions during the planning process to avoid costly mistakes.
  • Personalized Legal Advice: Every individual’s situation is unique. We can help you customize your trust to meet your specific needs and goals.
  • Peace of Mind: We can give you peace of mind that your trust is created properly and will work as intended. 
  • Probate and Litigation: If a dispute arises over the terms of your trust or its administration, we can provide representation and guidance to protect your interests. 

Our legal team can provide you with the protection that you need to ensure that your trust is structured properly and meets your unique goals and objectives. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation by video or phone to learn more about how we can assist you with your estate planning concerns.

Call Our Vancouver Revocable Trusts Attorney Now!

A revocable living trust has many benefits. It allows you far more flexibility while also giving you the reassurance that your assets will be handled and distributed to meet your wishes after your passing. However, the process of setting up a revocable living trust can be confusing and complicated. 

If you are interested in providing for your family and continuing to have some control over your assets through a revocable living trust, it’s important to work with our Vancouver revocable trusts attorneys at Robert Russell Law Office who can guide you throughout the process. Our estate planning law firm offers a range of legal services, including revocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and probate administration. 

Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation by video or phone and let us help you secure your future and the future of your loved ones.

Our practice includes many areas of law, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • Bankruptcy
  • Foreclosure Defense
  • Collection Defense
  • Wills & Estate Planning
  • Consumer Protection