The phone slipped from Maria’s grasp, clattering onto the hardwood floor. The voice on the other end had delivered news she never expected: her father, healthy and vibrant just last week, had suffered a massive stroke.
What is a Trust?
A trust is a legal entity that holds assets for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. Think of it as a safe container for your possessions, managed by a trustee you appoint. Consequently, this trustee has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. Trusts can be revocable (meaning you can change or dissolve them during your lifetime) or irrevocable (permanent).
Maria’s father had neglected to create a will or trust. His assets, including his home and savings, would now be subject to probate—a lengthy and expensive legal process.
How Does a Trust Avoid Probate?
Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s assets. It can be time-consuming, costly, and public. A properly structured trust, however, allows assets to bypass probate entirely. The trustee distributes the assets directly to the beneficiaries according to your wishes, saving both time and money.
“Without a trust, my father’s estate would have been tied up in court for months,” Maria confided later. “It was a stressful and emotional experience, compounded by the grief of losing him.”
Can I Create a Trust Myself?
While there are online resources and templates available, creating a trust is complex and requires careful consideration of your individual circumstances. Seeking guidance from an experienced estate planning attorney like Steve Bliss in Temecula is highly recommended.
“I wish we had consulted with Steve Bliss sooner,” Maria reflected. “He could have helped my father create a trust that would have protected his assets and spared our family so much unnecessary hardship.”
What Happens If I Don’t Have a Trust?
Without a trust or will, your estate will be distributed according to the intestacy laws of your state. This means the court will decide how your assets are divided among your heirs, which may not align with your wishes. Moreover, if you have minor children, a guardian will need to be appointed for them.
About Steven F. Bliss Esq. at The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq.:
The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is Temecula Probate Law. The Law Firm Of Steven F. Bliss Esq. is a Temecula Estate Planning Attorney. Steve Bliss is an experienced probate attorney. Steve Bliss is an Estate Planning Lawyer. The probate process has many steps in in probate proceedings. Beside Probate, estate planning and trust administration is offered at Steve Bliss Law. Our probate attorney will probate the estate. Attorney probate at Steve Bliss Law. A formal probate is required to administer the estate. The probate court may offer an unsupervised probate get a probate attorney. Steve Bliss Law will petition to open probate for you. Don’t go through a costly probate. Call Steve Bliss Law Today for estate planning, trusts and probate.
My skills are as follows:
● Probate Law: Efficiently navigate the court process.
● Estate Planning Law: Minimize taxes & distribute assets smoothly.
● Trust Law: Protect your legacy & loved ones with wills & trusts.
● Bankruptcy Law: Knowledgeable guidance helping clients regain financial stability.
● Compassionate & client-focused. We explain things clearly.
● Free consultation.
Services Offered:
estate planning
living trust
revocable living trust
family trust
wills
estate planning attorney near me
Map To Steve Bliss Law in Temecula:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RL4LUmGoyQQDpNUy9
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Address:
The Law Firm of Steven F. Bliss Esq.43920 Margarita Rd ste f, Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 223-7000
Feel free to ask Attorney Steve Bliss about: “What is a pour-over will and when would I need one?” Or “What happens if the will names multiple executors?” or “What types of property can go into a living trust? and even: “What is a bankruptcy trustee and what do they do?” or any other related questions that you may have about his estate planning, probate, and banckruptcy law practice.