Roseville Trusts Lawyer

Plan your estate with

Trusts

Protect what you’ve built and make life easier for the people you love. A well-crafted trust can help you avoid probate delays, keep family matters private, and make sure your assets go exactly where you intend.

At Patton Law Group, our Roseville trusts lawyer and team will guide you through the right estate planning tools, so your plan is clear today and flexible for tomorrow.

TYPES OF TRUSTS AND THEIR USES

Living (Revocable) Trust. The core estate planning tool for many families. You stay in control during your lifetime and can change it as life evolves.
Irrevocable Trust. Generally fixed once created; used for asset protection and tax planning.
Special Needs Trust. Protects eligibility for essential public benefits while providing supplemental support.
Charitable Trusts. Support causes you care about and may reduce estate tax exposure.
Credit Shelter (Bypass) Trust. Helps married couples maximize estate tax exemptions.
Testamentary Trust. Created under your will and springs into effect after death.
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT). Keeps insurance proceeds outside your taxable estate and clarifies distribution to beneficiaries.

Living Trust vs. Testamentary Trust

A living trust is created now and typically avoids probate, speeding up distributions and preserving privacy. A testamentary trust is created by your will after death and usually goes through probate first. Living trusts offer more lifetime control; testamentary trusts can be useful for targeted, post-death protections.

When to Use a Special Needs Trust

If a loved one has a disability and relies on needs-based benefits, a special needs trust can provide funds for quality-of-life expenses, like therapies, education, or transportation, without disqualifying them from programs they depend on.

Charitable and Credit Shelter Trusts

Charitable trusts let you support nonprofits while potentially gaining income or estate tax advantages. Credit shelter trusts can preserve each spouse’s exemption amount, helping larger estates pass more to family and less to taxes.

Trust Administration and Legal Roles

A trustee manages the trust, follows your instructions, and owes fiduciary duties of loyalty, prudence, and impartiality. Beneficiaries receive benefits per the trust terms. An heir is someone who would inherit under state law if you had no plan; your trust can choose different beneficiaries and timelines such as spouses, children, or others, so your wishes, not default rules, control outcomes.

Choosing the Right Trustee

Select someone organized, reliable, and conflict-free. Consider a professional or corporate trustee if your family dynamics are complex, investments are significant, or long-term administration is expected.

Identifying Beneficiaries and Heirs

Be specific. Name individuals, outline contingencies (e.g., per stirpes), and define ages or milestones for distributions to minimize disputes and keep administration smooth.

Trusts for Asset Protection

Certain structures, like an asset protection trust or a spendthrift trust, can help shield assets from creditors and lawsuits while still benefiting your family.

Spendthrift Clauses and Lawsuits

A spendthrift clause restricts a beneficiary’s ability to transfer or pledge their interest, and it can limit creditor access before distributions are made—useful when beneficiaries need guardrails.

Tax Planning Through Trusts

With thoughtful design, irrevocable trusts and credit shelter trusts can reduce exposure to estate taxes and other taxes. The right strategy depends on your asset mix, goals, and timeline, and should be paired with current tax guidance.

Powers of Attorney and Will Integration

A complete estate plan pairs your trust with a will (to catch any assets outside the trust) and powers of attorney for finances and health care. Your will ensures a smooth pour-over into the trust; POAs protect you during incapacity.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Roseville Trusts Lawyer

Ready to build or update your estate plan? Patton Law Group can help you choose the right trust, name the right people, and protect what matters.

Contact our Roseville trusts attorney for a free consultation and take the next step with confidence.