Wills

A will is an incredibly important estate planning document.

When you create a will, you may state which of your assets and properties you want certain people to receive, as well as select an executor to manage your estate after you pass away. If you have minor children, you may wish to select a guardian to care for your children in the event when you cannot do so.

If you wish to donate money to charity after you pass away, you may create a will so your assets may transfer directly to the charity of your choice.

Wills cannot cover your spouse’s share of your community property, proceeds from life insurance policy payouts, retirement assets, jointly owned assets with rights of survivorship, and investment accounts are transferable upon death.

Trusts

Trusts are legal entities specifically designed to hold a person’s assets for the benefit of the creator, another person, group of people, or entity.

Depending on the type of trust, you may or may not remain in control of your assets once the trust is established and the assets are transferred to the trust.

Trusts may be created to safeguard and distribute assets to selected beneficiaries. Some individuals may create trusts to protect assets from future lawsuits and/or creditors’ claims, while other people may wish to ensure their wealth is transferred to future generations.

Trusts come in the forms of revocable living trusts and irrevocable trusts, both of which serve different purposes.

People may also create a trust to leave or transfer money to a charitable organization of their choice.

Trusts are known to reduce or eliminate possible estate taxes, as well as protect assets from potential creditors and preserve assets for beneficiaries.

An individual may also wish to establish a trust to fund charities, provide for personal care if the person becomes incapacitated, or shift income taxes to beneficiaries in lower tax brackets.

To create a will or a trust, or to manage an estate, or discuss entering litigation, contact our experienced probate law attorneys at Roland Law Firm. We have over 30 years of combined legal experience to help clients create a will and establish various types of trusts.