How To Set Up A Living Trust
5 Simple Steps To Set Up A Living Trust That Will Protect Your Family, Money, And Property
How Do I Create A Living Trust?
It’s a hard question to find the answers to.
And if you’ve called around to different law offices, you’ve probably noticed many firms aren’t all that willing to share a ton of information.
But, we built Rochester Law Center on being upfront and transparent about the services we provide. Here is what the process looks like when you work with us at Rochester Law Center.
Step 1: Living Trust Initial Consultation
To fully understand your needs, we offer an initial complimentary consultation. Your session will usually last about 45 minutes to 1 hour (depending on how many questions you have).
During our time together, a Trust Attorney will talk with you to learn more about your situation, any unique circumstances that need to be accounted for, and we will explore your planning goals.
This allows us to help you develop a comprehensive outline of every legal document that we will draft to secure your family, money, and property. Prior to the end of the meeting, we review all of your options together and answer any questions that you may still have unanswered.
The goal for your consultation is that you leave with the peace of mind that all of your questions are answered and that you have the best possible roadmap in place to protect your family. Lastly, this meeting allows us to quote you on the exact fee you can expect if you decide to retain our services in the future.
We’ve had clients that we quoted $0 because after reviewing their existing plan, their goals could be accomplished without needing to hire us.
At the end of our meeting, you may choose to retain our services, but there is absolutely no obligation to do so.
All of our plans are offered on a flat fee basis so you will know exactly how much your plan will cost before you ever move forward to set up a Living Trust.
There is no hourly billing or surprise fees!
Finally, we always allow you to pay over time in installments so that you can begin the process now and pay the balance later.
Step 2: Drafting Your Living Trust
If you choose to work with us after your initial consultation, you can sit back and relax.
Over the next several weeks, our team will get to work drafting the documents we outlined together in your consultation.
During this time, we may call you to ask a few basic clarifying questions, but in general you won’t need to do anything else at this stage.
We usually complete a first draft within 2-3 weeks of our initial meeting.
Step 3: Review For Accuracy
Once we complete a first draft of your Living Trust, we will send you a copy along with a “lay” summary which will explain the documents in plain English.
We will have another meeting so that your Trust Attorney can personally explain every document to you. We will also answer any questions you may have about your plan and how it will operate. If there are any changes that need to be made at this stage, don’t worry.
Accuracy is critical.
Before the signing ceremony we will make as many changes for you as needed to make sure that your plan meets all of your goals – free of any additional charge.
Step 4: Making Your Living Trust Legally Binding
Once you’re 100% confident that the Living Trust meets your needs, we will have the signing ceremony.
Our office staff will perform all the necessary pre-signing interviews to reduce the risk of any later court battles, and we will make sure that all of the required legal formalities are observed.
We also provide all of the necessary witnesses and notary services.
At this point, you can rest easy with the peace of mind that your Living Trust was completed properly and is now legally binding.
Step 5: Preserving Your Records
After the signing ceremony, we scan your documents into our digital record keeping system.
We will always have a copy if there is a fire or loss.
We compile your plan in a leather bound binder and then we’ll call you to schedule the final pick up.
At this point, the Living Trust process is complete!
Of course, we always welcome the opportunity to discuss updates or supplements to your plan in the future as your life changes and your needs change.
Setting up a Living Trust is an incredibly important decision. After all, you are planning for your family’s future…
Our Founder, Estate Planning Attorney Chris Atallah founded Rochester Law Center on the belief that it’s an attorney’s job to help you understand all your available options as much as possible.
If you still have questions about Living Trusts, we’d be happy to answer them for you…
Over the past decade, we’ve helped 1,000s of clients set up all manners of Living Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Estate Plans.
Just give us a call at (248) 613-0007 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Our Process Makes It Simple To Set Up A Living Trust
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Written By Chris Atallah - Founder, Rochester Law Center, PLLC
Written By Chris Atallah - Founder, Rochester Law Center, PLLC
Chris Atallah is a licensed Michigan Attorney and the author of “The Ultimate Guide to Wills & Trusts – Estate Planning for Michigan Families”. Over that past decade, Chris has helped 1,000s of Michigan families and businesses secure their futures in all matters of Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning. He has taught dozens of seminars across the State of Michigan on such topics as avoiding the death tax, protecting minor children after the parents’ death, and preserving family wealth from the courts and accidental disinheritance. If you have any questions, Chris would be happy to answer them for you – just call at 248-613-0007.