Santa Ana Trust Attorney

Tailored Tools to Protect Your Legacy & Loved Ones

If you’re looking to create a comprehensive estate plan or refine an existing one, you may want to consider a trust. As versatile and powerful instruments, trusts can help you achieve estate planning goals that range from probate avoidance, asset protection, and increased privacy to considerable control over how assets are dispersed or managed for your beneficiaries.

As a firm with an active estate planning practice designed to help folks and families protect their financial interests, Nguyen Law Group has helped countless clients across Southern California leverage the power of trusts to accomplish their current and future goals. We take the time to educate our clients about estate planning tools and their available options and provide the counsel they need to accurately construct and implement their plan.

If you’d like more information about setting up a trust or how a trust might be of benefit for your estate plan, our Santa Ana trust attorney is here to help. Call (909) 328-6280 or contact us online to request an initial consultation.

What Is a Trust?

A trust is a legal arrangement where one party, known as the grantor, transfers assets to another party, called the trustee, to be managed for the benefit of a third party, the beneficiaries.

Trusts are an essential component of estate planning, offering numerous benefits over other tools, such as wills. While wills take effect only after death and must go through probate, trusts can be effective during the grantor’s lifetime and often allow beneficiaries to avoid the probate process entirely.

Types of Trusts

There are various types of trusts, each designed to meet specific goals and needs:

• Revocable Trusts. Also known as living trusts, revocable trusts allow the grantor to maintain control over assets during their lifetime. The grantor can modify or revoke the trust at any time. These trusts provide flexibility and help avoid probate.
• Irrevocable Trusts. These trusts offer significant asset protection and tax benefits, as the assets are no longer considered part of the grantor's estate. Once established, irrevocable trusts cannot be changed or revoked by the grantor.
• Testamentary Trusts. Testamentary trusts are created through a will and only take effect upon the grantor’s death. They can be useful for setting up specific conditions for asset distribution.
• Special Needs Trusts. Special needs trusts are designed to provide for beneficiaries with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits.
• Charitable Trusts. Charitable trusts allow the grantor to support charitable causes while enjoying potential tax benefits. These can be structured in various ways to meet philanthropic goals.
• Other Specialized Trusts. Family trusts, spendthrift trusts, and other specialized trusts address specific needs and circumstances, providing tailored solutions for asset management and protection.

Benefits of Establishing a Trust

Trusts offer numerous advantages, including:

• Avoidance of Probate: Assets held in a trust do not go through probate, allowing for faster and more private distribution.
• Privacy: Unlike wills, which become public record during probate, trusts remain private.
• Asset Protection: Trusts can shield assets from creditors and legal claims.
• Tax Advantages: Certain types of trusts can reduce estate and gift taxes.
• Control Over Distribution: Trusts allow the grantor to set specific terms and conditions for asset distribution.
• Planning for Incapacity: Trusts can ensure that assets are managed according to the grantor’s wishes if they become incapacitated.

Trusts and Estate Planning Goals

A trust can function as a critical component of a comprehensive estate plan, and aid individuals and families in accomplishing specific goals. This includes objectives related to:

• Protecting Minor Children: Trusts can manage assets for minor children until they reach adulthood, both during a grantor’s lifetime and in the event of their incapacity or death.
• Providing for a Spouse or Loved Ones: Trusts can ensure that your spouse or other loved ones are financially secure after you pass.
• Supporting Charitable Causes: Charitable trusts enable you to contribute to causes you care about while potentially receiving tax benefits.
• Managing and Preserving Wealth: Trusts can help manage and grow your assets for future generations.
• Addressing Family Dynamics: Trusts can provide for family members in a way that addresses specific needs and concerns, such as blended families or spendthrift beneficiaries.

The Process of Setting Up a Trust

Establishing a trust involves several steps. At Nguyen Law Group, we generally handle trust matters as follows:

1. Initial Consultation: We begin with a thorough consultation to understand your goals, assets, and family dynamics, educate you about various estate planning tools, and discuss options that work for you.
2. Drafting the Trust Document: Our legal team will draft a customized trust document that reflects your wishes and meets legal requirements.
3. Funding the Trust: This involves transferring assets into the trust, which can include real estate, investments, bank accounts, and personal property.
4. Ongoing Management and Review: Trusts require ongoing management to ensure they remain compliant with laws and continue to meet your goals. We offer services to assist with the administration and review of your trust.

Why Choose Nguyen Law Group?

Choosing the right firm to establish your trust is crucial. At Nguyen Law Group, we offer the following:

• Experience: Attorney Andy Nguyen is an award-winning advocate with extensive experience in estate planning and a deep understanding of trusts. Mr. Nguyen’s experience in matters of bankruptcy, debt relief, and other financial legal issues provides our clients with access to truly comprehensive support.
• Personalized Approach: We take the time to understand your situation and tailor our services to meet your specific needs. From uncovering goals to incorporating clear instructions within a trust, our services are customized specifically to you.
• Clear, Comprehensive Advice: We know estate plans have profound implications and invest the necessary time to educate clients and provide clear, straightforward legal advice so they can make informed decisions.
• Proven Results: We’ve been trusted by clients and colleagues across Southern California for over a decade, and have a amassed a record of results and client testimonials that speak to the quality of our services.
• Convenient Locations: With offices in Orange County and the Inland Empire, we’re easily accessible and offer flexible consultation options to accommodate your schedule.

Common Questions About Trusts

What Is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?

A will takes effect after your death and must go through probate, which can be time-consuming and public. A trust can take effect during your lifetime, avoid probate, and offer greater privacy.

How Do I Choose the Right Type of Trust for My Needs?

The right trust depends on your specific goals, assets, and family situation. Our attorney can help you identify the best option during your consultation.

Can a Trust Help Reduce Estate Taxes?

Yes, certain types of trusts can minimize estate taxes by removing assets from your taxable estate or leveraging tax exemptions.

What Happens If I Need to Change My Trust?

Revocable trusts can be modified or revoked at any time. Irrevocable trusts typically cannot be changed, but certain provisions can be included to allow for some flexibility.

How Are Trusts Managed After the Grantor’s Death?

The trustee will manage and distribute the trust assets according to the terms set forth in the trust document. We offer trustee services to ensure proper administration.

Ready to Start? Call (909) 328-6280

There’s no better time than now to plan for the future. Whether you’re ready to establish a trust or are still considering your options, our team at Nguyen Law Group can help you navigate the process ahead.

Give us a call at (909) 328-6280 or complete an online form to schedule your initial consultation.