When planning your estate, one powerful tool to consider is a living trust. Living trusts can provide your family with a smoother path by helping avoid the often lengthy and costly probate process after you pass away. If you want to protect your assets and ensure your loved ones receive their inheritance quickly and privately, a living trust might be the right choice for you.
To explore whether a living trust fits your unique needs, connect with a trusted Lakewood living trusts attorney at Colorado Estate Matters. Our experienced trust lawyers are here to guide you every step of the way. Call us today at (303) 713-9147 for your free consultation and start securing your family’s future.
Choosing the right law firm for your estate planning is crucial. At Colorado Estate Matters, Ltd., we bring decades of experience as dedicated living trusts attorneys serving Lakewood and the surrounding areas. Our team prioritizes clear communication and personalized service to help you understand every step of the trust administration and estate planning process.
We offer flexible options, including virtual consultations, to fit your schedule. With us, you get a trusted trust attorney who will guide you through creating a comprehensive plan that protects your assets, supports your family members, and helps you avoid the complexities of probate court. Call us today to learn how we can help you secure your legacy.
Creating a living trust involves several important steps to ensure your estate is managed and distributed according to your wishes. Here’s what you can expect when working with a skilled Lakewood living trusts attorney:
When working with a Lakewood living trusts attorney, you’ll learn that not all trusts are created equal. Understanding the different types of trusts can help you choose the one that best fits your goals for asset protection, estate planning, and providing for your family members.
This is the most common type of living trust. It allows you to maintain control over your assets during your lifetime, with the flexibility to make changes or revoke the trust at any time. Upon your passing, the assets are transferred directly to your beneficiaries without going through the probate process. A revocable trust is ideal if you want to avoid probate while retaining control.
Unlike a revocable trust, an irrevocable living trust cannot be easily changed or revoked once it’s established. This type of trust offers stronger asset protection and may provide tax benefits, but it requires giving up direct control over the assets. Irrevocable trusts are often used for estate tax planning or protecting assets from creditors.
If you have a family member with special needs, a special needs trust can provide for their care without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits. This trust is carefully crafted to comply with legal requirements, ensuring ongoing financial support without affecting public assistance.
Created through your will, a testamentary trust only takes effect after your death. It can manage assets for minor children or others who need help handling their inheritance, but it must go through probate court.
Choosing the right trust involves careful consideration of your personal situation and estate planning goals. A knowledgeable trust lawyer at Colorado Estate Matters will help you understand your options and craft a plan that protects your legacy while meeting your family’s needs.
Many people choose to set up living trusts in Lakewood to help their families avoid the burden of estate taxes after they pass away. The good news is that federal estate taxes generally only apply if your estate exceeds about $12 million, so most families won’t be affected.
Because assets held in a living trust transfer directly to your successor trustee upon your death, they typically avoid the probate process—and the associated estate taxes that can apply to assets passed through a will. This is one of the many benefits that make living trusts an effective tool for asset protection and smooth trust administration.
Setting up a living trust does not have to be as complicated as you might have thought. With the help of a seasoned Lakewood living trusts lawyer at Colorado Estate Matters, Ltd., you can get your living trusts set up and your estate plans formalized so your family is protected upon your passing.
When you are ready to get started with your living trusts, schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. You can reach us through our quick contact form or by phone at (303) 713-9147.
A living trust allows your assets to be managed and distributed privately without going through probate, while a will must go through probate and becomes a public record.
Yes, if you have a revocable living trust, you can modify or revoke it anytime during your lifetime. Irrevocable trusts, however, generally cannot be changed.
Assets placed in a living trust are owned by the trust, not you personally. When you pass away, these assets transfer directly to your beneficiaries without the delays and costs of probate court.
Yes, a will (often called a “pour-over will”) is used to transfer any assets not included in the trust at the time of your death.
Choose someone you trust to manage your assets responsibly. This can be a family member, friend, or a professional trustee such as a bank or law firm.
A living trust can provide instructions for managing your financial affairs if you become incapacitated, helping avoid court-appointed guardianship or conservatorship.