Living Trust

1. You Create the Trust
You work with a financial planner or attorney to create the trust document. You’re called the grantor (the one creating the trust), and you appoint:
• Trustee: The person (often you at first) who manages the trust
• Successor Trustee: Someone you trust to manage things if you become unable to or after you pass
• Beneficiaries: The people or organizations who will inherit your assets
2. You Fund the Trust
You legally transfer your assets into the trust. This includes your:
• Real estate
• Bank accounts
• Stocks and bonds
• Business interests
• Personal property
3. You Remain in Control
As long as you’re alive and well, you can:
• Use and manage the assets
• Add or remove assets
• Change or cancel the trust at any time (hence “revocable”)
4. After Death or Incapacity
When you pass away (or if you’re mentally or physically unable to manage your affairs):
• The successor trustee takes over immediately
• The assets are distributed to your beneficiaries according to your wishes
• All of this happens without going through probate

Our Retirement Growth Package is a tax-advantaged financial strategy that
1. Avoids Probate
Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing your assets. It can take months to years, is public, and costly. A living trust skips this entirely—saving time, money, and stress for your family.
2. Maintains Privacy
Unlike a will, which becomes public record when filed in probate court, a trust remains private. No one sees your assets, debts, or beneficiaries unless you want them to.
3. Provides Asset Protection
While you’re alive, your assets in the trust are still yours. But after death, they can be structured to protect your heirs from:
• Creditors
• Lawsuits
• Divorce
• Bad financial decisions
4. Prepares for Incapacity
If you become sick, injured, or unable to manage your affairs (such as due to dementia or coma), your successor trustee can step in immediately—without needing court approval or guardianship. This ensures smooth handling of your finances and care.
5. Flexible & Customizable
You can:
• Set age restrictions (e.g., kids only get money at age 25)
• Stagger distributions (e.g., 25% at age 21, 50% at 30, remainder at 35)
• Set conditions (e.g., finishing college, not using drugs)
6. Great for Blended Families
If you’ve remarried or have children from previous relationships, a trust lets you clearly define who gets what and avoid conflicts.
7. Protects Real Estate Across States
If you own properties in more than one state, a trust avoids multiple probate cases (one in each state).

• Homeowners
• Parents with minor or special needs children
• Business owners
• People with blended families
• Anyone wanting privacy and a smooth transition
• Those with assets in multiple states
• Individuals who want to prevent family conflict

A Living Trust does not protect your assets from Medicaid or lawsuits while you’re alive (unless it’s an Irrevocable Trust). However, it does protect your heirs after you pass.
Also, you still need a will as a backup (called a “pour-over will”) for any assets accidentally left out of your trust.
In Summary:
A Living Trust is like a personalized, private instruction manual for what happens to your property if something happens to you—whether that’s illness, disability, or death. It ensures:
• Your wishes are honored
• Your family avoids stress and expense
• Your legacy is protected and passed on smoothly