Trust-Based Estate Planning
Protect Your Assets. Avoid Probate. Maintain Control.
A trust-based estate plan uses a Revocable Living Trust as the foundation to manage your assets during life, protect you during incapacity, and transfer everything privately and efficiently after death.
What Is a Trust-Based Estate Plan?
A trust-based estate plan is built around a Revocable Living Trust, supported by essential documents like a pour-over will, powers of attorney, and health directives.
Unlike a will-only plan, a trust allows your assets to pass outside of probate, remain private, and be managed seamlessly if you become incapacitated.
What’s Included in a Trust-Based Plan
Core Documents
Revocable Living Trust
Holds and controls your major assets (home, accounts, investments). Can be changed anytime while you’re alive.
Pour-Over Will
Catches any assets not titled in the trust and directs them into it.
Durable Financial Power of Attorney
Allows someone you trust to manage finances if you’re incapacitated.
Health Care Power of Attorney & Living Will
Ensures medical decisions and end-of-life wishes are honored.
Who This Is Best For
Trust-based planning is often ideal if you:
- Own a home or multiple properties
- Want to avoid probate for your heirs
- Value privacy and control
- Have minor children or a blended family
- Want smoother incapacity planning
- Prefer long-term structure over simplicity
While more comprehensive than a will-only plan, trust-based planning offers greater protection and long-term peace of mind.
Optional Enhancements & Specialized Trusts
Some clients need additional planning tools depending on their family, assets, or goals. These options are discussed only when appropriate — not everyone needs them.
A Special Needs Trust is designed to support a person with disabilities without disqualifying them from government benefits such as AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid) or SSI. It can help pay for education, care, therapies, and quality-of-life expenses that government programs may not cover.
Important:
These trusts must be drafted very precisely to comply with federal and state benefit rules. If done incorrectly, the beneficiary can lose benefits.
Status:
Not prepared by us. Attorney required.
A Pet Trust provides legally enforceable instructions and funding for the care of your pets if you become incapacitated or pass away. It allows you to name caregivers, set aside money, and provide care instructions.
Status:
We can include a simple Pet Trust provision as part of a Will or Revocable Living Trust.
Limitations:
We offer simple pet care trust provisions only, not complex or standalone pet trusts.
What it is:
A Gun Trust is a specialized trust used to own and manage certain federally regulated firearms and help with possession, transfer, and compliance under federal law.
Important:
These trusts are governed by federal firearms laws and ATF regulations. Mistakes can expose the owner or trustees to serious legal consequences.
Status:
Not prepared by us. Attorney required.
What it is:
An ILIT is used to keep life insurance proceeds outside of a taxable estate and is often part of advanced estate and tax planning for higher-net-worth families.
Important:
Once created, this type of trust generally cannot be changed and can have gift tax, estate tax, and long-term legal consequences.
Status:
Not prepared by us. Attorney and CPA required.
What it is:
A SLAT is an advanced estate planning technique sometimes used by married couples to reduce future estate taxes while still allowing one spouse to indirectly benefit from trust assets during life.
Important:
This is high-level tax and estate strategy and depends heavily on individual financial circumstances and current tax law.
Status:
Not prepared by us. Attorney and CPA required.
We prepare standard estate planning documents such as Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, and related provisions (including children’s trust provisions and simple pet trust provisions). We do not prepare documents involving tax planning, asset protection planning, firearms regulation, or government benefits planning. For those situations, we are happy to help you get organized and refer you to an attorney.
How the Process Works
- Initial consultation to understand your goals
- Customized trust-based plan drafted
- Review and revisions
- Signing & notary guidance
- Guidance on funding your trust
Not sure whether a trust-based or will-based plan is right for you?
Ready to protect what matters most?
Probate Avoidance — When It Matters
Many people want to reduce probate delays and keep things private. Probate avoidance can involve beneficiary deeds, account titling, and trusts.
Protect your assets, your loved ones, and your peace of mind
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