Top 10 Questions

Here are ten of the most important questions you should be asking yourself before creating your estate plan. The goal isn’t to make this process complicated. It’s to make sure your voice is heard, your assets are protected, and your family never has to fight their way through a court system you could have avoided.

1/ Who do I want to handle things if something happens to me?

Every plan starts with control. If you can’t make decisions for yourself, someone will. A revocable living trust gives you the power to name who steps in when you can’t, without any court involvement. That person can keep things running smoothly, protect your family, and carry out your wishes exactly as you’ve written them.

2/ How do I make sure my loved ones avoid probate?

Probate is a public court process that can drain time, money, and privacy from your family. A revocable living trust keeps everything private, outside of the courthouse, and in the hands of the people you choose. It’s faster, cleaner, and far less stressful for everyone involved.

3/ What happens to my finances if I become incapacitated?

If you lose the ability to manage your affairs, a trust already has a system in place. Your successor trustee can step in and handle everything, from paying bills to managing investments, without freezing accounts or filing court petitions. It protects your dignity and your independence, even when you can’t speak for yourself.

4/ How can I keep my estate private?

When a Will goes through probate, it becomes public record. Anyone can see what you owned and who received it. A revocable trust keeps your personal and financial details completely private. Your family’s business stays your family’s business.

5/ What’s the best way to protect my children or grandchildren?

Minor children can’t inherit assets directly. Without a trust, a court steps in to decide who manages their inheritance. A living trust lets you decide exactly how and when your children or grandchildren receive their share. You control the timing, the purpose, and the protection of those funds.

6/ How can I make sure my assets go to the right people?

A living trust gives you total control over how your estate is divided. You decide who gets what, under what terms, and when. It ensures your hard work benefits the people you love and not someone else’s lawyer or ex-spouse.

7/ How do I keep my family from fighting after I’m gone?

Most family disputes start from confusion or lack of clarity. A revocable trust removes both. Every instruction is laid out, every asset accounted for, and every decision backed by your signature. When everything is organized and clear, there’s nothing left to argue about.

8? How can I reduce stress for my spouse or partner?

Losing someone is already hard. Adding financial chaos makes it unbearable. A trust organizes your estate so your spouse or partner can step in easily. Accounts transfer smoothly, assets remain accessible, and no judge or lawyer is required to approve every move.

9/ How do I plan for real estate, investments, and business interests?

These are the assets that often cause the biggest legal messes. A revocable trust holds each one under a single plan, keeping transitions simple and private. It also lets you name who manages or sells property, runs your business, or continues your investment strategy the way you would have done it yourself.

10/ How do I get started?

Estate planning begins with one conversation. The hardest part is starting, and once you do, you’ll wonder why you waited. My job is to make the process simple, understandable, and customized to your life. Together we’ll create a plan that protects your family, honors your wishes, and keeps everything private and under your control.

The best time to plan is before you need one. Reach out today.