Practice
Trusts and wills
A revocable trust holds what you own while you’re alive and passes it on without a court case. The will, powers of attorney and health care papers go with it, so one set of documents covers you now and later.
Revocable living trust
You stay in charge as trustee. The successor you choose steps in if you can’t, and after you’re gone.
Pour-over will
Catches anything left outside the trust and points it back in. It names a guardian for minor children, if there are any.
Durable power of attorney
Lets someone you trust pay bills, file taxes and deal with the bank if you can’t.
Health care directive
Names who speaks for you with doctors, and writes down the care you do and don’t want.
Deed and account transfers
We prepare and record the deed into the trust and give you a letter for each bank and brokerage.
Beneficiary review
Retirement accounts and life insurance pass by their own forms. We check every one against the plan.
The flat fee, and what it covers
A trust plan is one flat fee, lower for one person than for a married couple. We quote it in writing after the first meeting, before any drafting starts.
The fee covers both meetings, every document above, recording one deed in Sarasota County, the letters to your banks and your first scheduled review meeting.
Not in the fee
- Recording a second deed or property in another state
- Tax returns, which your CPA files
- Changes you ask for after signing, outside the scheduled review
Trust and will questions
Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?
A will goes through probate; a funded trust usually doesn’t. If you own a home, have accounts in more than one place or want privacy, a trust often fits. If your estate is small and simple, we’ll tell you a will may be enough.
We moved here from another state. Are our old papers still good?
Often they still work, but powers of attorney and health care forms written elsewhere can be refused by banks and hospitals here. Bring them; we’ll read them and say what to keep.
Who should be the successor trustee?
Someone organised and nearby, or a bank trust department if no one fits. We talk through the choices at the first meeting, including naming two people to act together.
Bring your current documents
We read what you have, tell you what’s missing and quote the fee before you decide.