Revocable Living Trusts

Avoid Probate. Stay in Control. Make Things Easier for Family.

Create a living trust-based estate plan designed to help avoid probate, maintain control during your lifetime, and make administration easier for your family after death.

Serving Monroe, St. Clair, Madison, and surrounding Illinois counties, as well as St. Louis, Jefferson, St. Charles, and surrounding Missouri counties. Virtual appointments available.

Includes Pour-Over Will
Funding Guidance Included
Deeds Prepared if Needed
No Fee Until Ready to Sign

What Is a Living Trust Plan?

A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement used to hold and manage assets during your lifetime and distribute them after death. When properly drafted and properly funded, a living trust can help avoid probate, preserve privacy, and provide continuity if you become incapacitated.

For many clients, the trust serves as the central document in a broader estate plan that also includes a pour-over will, powers of attorney, and supporting transfer documents.

What’s Included in a Living Trust Plan

Our living trust plans are designed as coordinated estate plans, not just standalone documents.

Standard Plan Includes

Core Documents

Revocable living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney, and related estate planning documents structured to work together.

Funding Guidance

Guidance on trust funding, including deed conveyances and tangible property assignments, so the plan is properly implemented.

Real Estate Transfers

Preparation of deeds transferring real estate into the trust when appropriate, including coordination for clients with property in multiple states.

Separate Services

Available Add-On Services

Some services are available when needed, but are not included in standard package pricing.

  • Amendments and restatements
  • Advanced trust structuring
  • White-glove trust funding
  • Asset strategizing

Why Clients Use Revocable Living Trusts

Avoid Probate

Assets properly titled in the trust generally pass outside probate in Illinois and Missouri.

Plan for Incapacity

Your successor trustee can manage trust assets if you are unable to act for yourself.

Keep Matters Private

Trust administration is generally more private than a public probate court proceeding.

Reduce Family Burden

Clear authority, defined instructions, and coordinated assets make administration easier for the people you leave behind.

Our Process

1

Consultation

We discuss your family, assets, goals, and whether a living trust is the right fit.

2

Drafting

We prepare your trust and related documents as a coordinated estate plan.

3

Review

You review drafts, ask questions, and request revisions before signing.

4

Signing & Funding

We supervise execution and provide implementation guidance, including deeds and tangible property assignments where appropriate.

White-glove funding assistance and asset strategizing services are also available for an additional fee. No payment is required until your estate planning documents are ready for signature.

Other Estate Planning Services We Offer

Wills

Simple wills and coordinated testamentary planning for clients who do not need a trust-based plan.

Explore Wills

Powers of Attorney

Financial and healthcare powers of attorney to strengthen incapacity planning and decision-making authority.

Explore Powers of Attorney

Irrevocable Trusts

Advanced trust planning for clients with asset protection, tax, long-term care, or specialized transfer objectives.

Explore Irrevocable Trusts

Trust Administration

Guidance for trustees handling the administration of a trust after incapacity or death.

Explore Trust Administration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a living trust and a will?

A will directs who receives probate assets after death, but it generally does not avoid probate. A properly funded revocable living trust is designed to hold assets during life and distribute them after death without court-supervised probate for those trust-owned assets.

Does a revocable living trust avoid probate?

It can, but only for assets that are actually transferred into the trust or otherwise coordinated with the trust plan. Signing the trust alone is not enough. Proper funding matters.

Can I stay in control of my assets?

Yes. With a typical revocable living trust, you generally remain in control of your assets during your lifetime and may amend or revoke the trust while you have capacity.

Do you help fund the trust?

Yes. We provide funding guidance and assist with deed conveyances and tangible property assignments. White-glove trust funding and asset strategizing are available as add-on services.

How much does a living trust cost?

Cost depends on the complexity of your family, assets, and planning goals. We discuss scope and pricing during the consultation. Amendments, restatements, white-glove funding, and advanced planning features are priced separately when applicable.

Ready to Start Planning?

Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss whether a revocable living trust makes sense for your family, assets, and goals.

Schedule Consultation