Comprehensive estate protection that avoids probate and protects your children's inheritance
A Joint Revocable Trust is a powerful estate planning tool designed specifically for married couples who want to protect their family's financial future. This trust allows you and your spouse to place your combined assets into a single trust that provides for both of you during your lifetimes and ensures a smooth, private transfer of assets to your children after you're both gone.
Unlike a will, which becomes public record and must go through probate court, a revocable trust keeps your family's financial matters private and allows your assets to pass directly to your beneficiaries without court intervention.
Your assets transfer directly to your children without court involvement, saving thousands in legal fees and months of waiting.
Unlike wills, trusts don't become public record. Your family's financial details remain private.
Ensures your children are provided for exactly as you intend, with clear instructions for asset distribution.
When one spouse passes, the surviving spouse has immediate access to trust assets without court delays.
If either spouse becomes unable to manage finances, the other spouse continues managing trust assets seamlessly.
As a "revocable" trust, you can modify or dissolve it at any time as your family's needs change.
Trustee Structure: Both spouses serve as co-trustees with equal management authority. Upon one spouse's death, the surviving spouse automatically becomes the sole trustee.
Beneficiary Designations: Your children are named as the primary beneficiaries who will receive trust assets after both spouses have passed.
Contingent Beneficiaries: Clear provisions for what happens if primary beneficiaries predecease you or are unable to receive their inheritance.
The trust provides complete flexibility for you to use, sell, refinance, or manage trust assets as you see fit. You retain all control—the trust simply provides legal structure for smooth transitions.
Detailed guidance on how your assets should be distributed to your children, including:
Important Note: This Joint Revocable Trust is designed for estates valued under $20,000,000. For larger estates or complex situations involving business ownership, significant real estate holdings, or advanced tax planning needs, additional estate planning vehicles may be recommended.
| Feature | Joint Revocable Trust | Traditional Will |
|---|---|---|
| Probate Court | ✅ Avoids probate entirely | ❌ Must go through probate |
| Timeline | ✅ Immediate transfer to beneficiaries | ❌ 6-18 months of court process |
| Privacy | ✅ Completely private | ❌ Becomes public record |
| Cost to Family | ✅ Minimal administrative costs | ❌ Court fees + attorney fees (often $5,000-$15,000+) |
| Incapacity Planning | ✅ Built-in protection | ❌ Requires separate documents |
| Asset Control | ✅ Immediate successor trustee authority | ❌ Executor must be appointed by court |
| Modification | ✅ Easily amended by grantors | ✅ Can be updated with new will |
Comprehensive joint revocable trust with all necessary documents
Pricing based on complexity and asset types
Compare this to traditional attorney fees of $2,000 - $5,000+ for the same service
No. With a revocable trust, you maintain complete control. You can buy, sell, refinance, or manage assets exactly as you do now. The trust is simply a legal framework that provides benefits after death or incapacity.
That's the beauty of a "revocable" trust—you can amend or even dissolve it at any time during both of your lifetimes. As your family situation changes (new children, new assets, changing wishes), we can update your trust accordingly.
For most married couples with joint assets and aligned goals, a single joint revocable trust is simpler and more cost-effective. However, if you have significant separate property or different estate planning goals, we can discuss whether separate trusts might be beneficial.
Typically: your home, investment accounts, bank accounts, rental properties, and business interests. Some assets like retirement accounts and life insurance are usually better left with beneficiary designations rather than trust ownership. We'll guide you through this process.
For a revocable trust, there are no tax implications during your lifetimes. You continue filing taxes exactly as before using your Social Security numbers. The IRS treats you and your revocable trust as the same entity.
Your trust remains valid if you move. However, you may need to update certain provisions to comply with your new state's laws. We can discuss portability during your consultation.
From consultation to signed documents typically takes 1-2 weeks. The actual document preparation is quick—most of the time is spent ensuring we understand your wishes and customize the trust to your family's specific needs.