Bay Area Estate And Tax Planning Law Firm

Pleasanton, California, Trust Lawyer

I trusts

Contrary to what many people believe, estate planning isn’t just about drafting a will. While a simple or complex will can be an important component to your estate plan, an effective estate planning strategy is created taking into consideration the unique circumstances in your family, your financial well-being and your wishes for preserving your legacy and protecting loved ones in the future.

San Francisco attorney using irrevocable trusts and revocable living trusts to maximize your interests and the interests of your beneficiaries

Trusts can be an integral piece of estate planning for many individuals, couples and families in the Bay Area. Pleasanton, California, trust attorney Connie Yi has extensive experience helping clients achieve their estate planning objectives through the proper use of revocable trusts and irrevocable trusts.

Depending on the type of trust being created, a trust can become effective immediately or can take effect upon your death:

  • Revocable trusts/living trusts — A living trust takes effect immediately, and if funded and administered properly, can enable the family to avoid probate. Living trusts also offer the benefit of minimizing or avoiding significant estate taxes. If you create a living trust, you can manage all of your assets while you are alive (as trustee and beneficiary), and name successor trustee and beneficiaries who will manage and benefit from the trust after your passing.
  • Irrevocable trusts — Irrevocable trusts are created while you are living and can offer tax savings for named beneficiaries. Irrevocable trusts cannot be modified while you are living. Irrevocable trusts may be effective in tax planning strategies and Medicaid planning strategies.

Estate planning lawyer preserve wealth and avoid probate

With my years of experience serving clients, I have the knowledge, experience and real-world know-how to help clients create effective trusts that truly serve their interests and the interests of intended beneficiaries.

My firm is adept at helping clients with all types of trusts, including:

  • AB trusts (marital trusts)
  • Life insurance trusts
  • Charitable giving trusts
  • Special needs trusts
  • Personal residence trusts
  • Married Q-TIP trusts
  • Other types of trusts

A trust is very similar to a will — you have control over how your assets are distributed and who they are distributed to. With a living trust, you still have control over your assets while you are alive and, similar to a will, you can change the trust any time you like. However, assets distributed in accordance with a will must proceed through the probate process upon your passing; whereas assets properly titled in a trust pass to beneficiaries directly or in accordance with directions you set forth when the trust was created.

Helping you manage your trust and helping your family in the future

In addition to helping you with establishing the right trust or trusts to meet your needs, I have the capacity to handle your ongoing legal needs relating to trusts management or trust administration. My trust administration services include routine asset management, asset purchases and sales on behalf of the trust, paying debts, filing tax returns on behalf of the trust, tax examinations, investment risk assessment and many other services. My law firm is also equipped to handle trust administration and trust litigation services in the future.

Contact me at one of my convenient Bay Area offices to discuss your estate planning, trust administration or trust litigation needs.