Protecting Your Family Wealth Throughout Austin & Central Texas
When you hear the word "trust," you may assume it's something only wealthy families need. In reality, trusts can be valuable estate planning tools for people and families with many different goals and circumstances. Depending on your situation, a trust may help you manage and protect assets, provide instructions for the future, support loved ones, and create greater structure around how your estate is handled.
At Law Office of Matthew J. Meese, PLLC, we help individuals and families throughout Austin and Central Texas understand whether a trust makes sense for their situation and, when appropriate, create a plan designed around their specific goals.
Building a Trust That Actually Works for Your Family
A properly prepared and funded trust can help make the administration of your estate more organized and predictable for the people you leave behind. Depending on the type of trust and the assets involved, property may be able to pass to your beneficiaries outside of the probate process and according to the instructions you've established.
At Law Office of Matthew J. Meese, PLLC, we take the time to understand your family, finances, and long-term goals before recommending a particular trust structure. We want you to understand not only what your documents say, but why they're part of your overall estate plan.
Here's what sets our process apart:
We take the time to understand your family, assets, and goals before recommending a particular trust structure
We draft documents in clear language and explain the provisions so you understand how your trust works
We consider how your trust fits alongside your will, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents
We help identify potential issues such as unfunded trusts, outdated beneficiary designations, and asset-titling problems
We can help you review your plan as your family, finances, and circumstances change over time
After meeting with you, you'll have a clearer understanding of whether a trust belongs in your estate plan and how it can support your goals. We don't believe in simply handing you a stack of documents and sending you on your way. Our goal is for you to understand your plan well enough to explain it to the people who may eventually need to carry it out.
The Type of Trust You Choose Matters
Not every trust serves the same purpose. Choosing the right structure requires looking at your assets, family circumstances, tax considerations, and what you ultimately want your estate plan to accomplish. Law Office of Matthew J. Meese, PLLC helps clients understand their options before deciding which type of trust may be appropriate.
Here are two common types of trusts and how they may be used:
Revocable living trust – A revocable living trust generally allows you to maintain control of the assets you place into the trust during your lifetime. You can typically amend or revoke the trust as your circumstances change. When properly established and funded, a revocable trust may allow certain assets to pass to your beneficiaries outside of probate and can provide a more private and organized way to manage those assets after your death or incapacity.
Irrevocable trust – An irrevocable trust generally involves giving up some degree of control over the assets placed into it in exchange for potential planning benefits. Depending on how the trust is structured and the circumstances involved, an irrevocable trust may be used for asset protection, tax planning, long-term care planning, or other specialized estate planning goals. These trusts require careful planning because they are generally more difficult to change once established.
Ready to Find Out If a Trust Is Right for You?
There's no universal answer to whether a trust belongs in your estate plan. It depends on your family, your assets, your goals, and how you want your affairs handled in the future. Taking the time to understand your options now can give you greater control over how your assets are managed and how your loved ones are provided for.
Law Office of Matthew J. Meese, PLLC serves individuals and families throughout Austin and Central Texas. If you have questions about trusts or any other part of your estate plan, we're here to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.
Our focus is your family; we'll guide you every step of the way.
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Serving Your Family's Best Interest
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