Frequently Asked Questions

A living trust is a legal document that allows you to transfer your assets into a trust during your lifetime. The trust is managed by a trustee, who is responsible for distributing the assets to your beneficiaries according to your wishes.

A living trust offers several important benefits when it comes to managing your estate. One of the most significant is that it allows your assets to bypass probate — a court process that can be both time-consuming and expensive, often taking over a year to complete. A trust also provides greater privacy than a will, which becomes part of the public record after your death.

Ultimately, having a trust in place can make things significantly easier for your loved ones during an already difficult time by allowing for a smoother, more efficient transfer of your estate. It also gives you greater flexibility in how your assets are distributed—for example, instead of your children receiving a large lump sum at age 18, you can arrange for the funds to be held in trust to cover expenses like education, healthcare, and more.

Can I Change My Trust After Signing It?

Yes, you can. While some trusts are irrevocable, the trusts we typically work with are revocable. This means you have the flexibility to modify, update, or even revoke your trust at any time during your lifetime.

As the trustee, you maintain control over the assets in your trust and can use them as you wish until your passing. At that point, the trust generally becomes irrevocable and is administered according to your instructions.

Yes — the choice is entirely yours. In California, a living trust is often the better option because it helps avoid probate, which can be a lengthy and costly process. However, there are situations where a will may be more appropriate, depending on your goals, assets, and personal circumstances.

We’ll walk you through both options so you can make an informed decision that’s right for you.

We've designed an easy, streamlined process to have your trust and other estate planning documents completed and signed within 4 weeks.

1. Peace of Mind Planning Session

Your first step is to attend a Peace of Mind Planning Session via Zoom. Before we meet, you'll complete a secure online questionnaire — your Family Profile — so we can make the most of our time together. During this session, you'll learn about your estate planning options and our flat-fee pricing. When you're ready to move forward, we'll send you an engagement letter and invoice, both of which can be completed online.

2. Estate Plan Design Meeting

Next, we'll dive into designing your trust and related documents using the information you provided in your Family Profile. After this session, you'll receive a draft of your documents within about two weeks. You'll have the opportunity to review everything carefully and request any changes or updates. Once you're satisfied, we'll schedule your Signing Ceremony.

3. Document Review

We'll send you a video to review the documents, and then schedule a follow-up meeting if necessary. 

4. Signing Ceremony

At your Signing Ceremony, you'll formally sign your documents in the presence of two witnesses and a notary, ensuring all legal formalities are met. This meeting can take place at our office or in the comfort of your home.

You deserve an attorney who listens without interrupting and makes sure you fully understand your options before making any decisions — that’s not just good service, it’s the foundation of good legal counsel.

It’s incredibly important to me that you feel heard, that your questions are answered, and that you’re confident in the choices you're making. During our meeting, we’ll also walk through our process, flat-fee pricing, and what you can expect from the overall client experience — so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting and what your investment will be.

Let’s start with what we do not need:
We do not need account statements, Social Security numbers, or tax returns.

What we do need is a general overview of your assets — such as your home, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other major assets — including their estimated value and how they are titled (e.g., jointly, individually, in a trust, etc.).

In addition, we’ll ask you to consider a few important personal decisions related to your estate plan, including:

• Guardianship: Who should raise your minor children if something happens to you and your spouse or partner?
   
• Financial Oversight: Who should manage your children’s inheritance until they’re old enough to handle it themselves?
   
• Decision-Making Authority: Who should be responsible for making medical and financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated?
   

Don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers right away — you’ll have plenty of time to think through these choices as we move through the process together.

It's important to understand that LegalZoom and law firms are fundamentally different, offering distinct types of services — and that’s why their pricing differs.

LegalZoom provides standardized legal forms that you complete and execute on your own. They are not a law firm and cannot offer personalized legal advice.

In contrast, working with an attorney means receiving tailored legal guidance based on your unique circumstances. An attorney will draft customized documents, ensure all legal formalities are properly followed, and be available to answer your questions directly. Moreover, we use WealthCounsel software for drafting, which is widely regarded as the gold standard in the industry. 

If personalized advice, legal oversight, and ongoing support matter to you, working with an attorney is likely the better choice. If you’re comfortable handling things on your own and just need basic forms, a service like LegalZoom may suit your needs. 

In addition to your trust or will, a comprehensive estate plan includes several other important documents to ensure you're fully protected in a variety of situations. These include:

• Durable Power of Attorney – Allows someone you trust to manage your financial affairs if you’re unable to do so.
   
• Advance Health Care Directive – Appoints someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re incapacitated.
   
• HIPAA Authorization – Gives designated individuals access to your medical information so they can speak with doctors and healthcare providers.
   
• Guardianship Nominations – Allows you to name who you would want to care for your minor children if something were to happen to you.
   

All of these documents are included as part of your estate plan and will be organized in a custom estate planning binder you’ll receive at the conclusion of our services.

We offer flat-fee pricing, which we’ll review in detail during your Peace of Mind Planning Session. There’s absolutely no pressure to move forward.

Here’s how it works:

You’ll start by completing a secure online questionnaire through Decision Vault, which helps us understand your situation. Then, during our meeting, we’ll discuss your options and walk you through the flat-fee pricing structure — so you’ll have a clear understanding of the investment involved before making any decisions.

Even if you decide not to move forward, you’ll walk away from the Peace of Mind Planning Session with a clearer understanding of the estate planning process and what steps you’ll need to take in the future — especially if you don’t currently have a plan in place.

It’s a valuable conversation, whether you’re ready to move forward now or simply gathering information for later.