Revocable trusts

Revocable trusts across San Diego County

A revocable trust lets you keep full control of your assets while you are alive and transfer them to your heirs without probate at your death. We connect San Diego County residents with vetted, licensed estate-planning attorneys who draft and fund revocable trusts tailored to the specific assets, beneficiaries, and distribution terms that fit your family.

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San Diego County resident signing a revocable trust document at an estate-planning attorney office

What's included in this service?

Draft a revocable living trust naming you as grantor and initial trustee, with a successor trustee to manage the trust if you become incapacitated or die
Prepare the pour-over will, durable power of attorney, and advance health directive that complete a full estate plan alongside the trust
Record a grant deed transferring real property into the trust so the trust controls the property at death without probate
Review existing accounts and coordinate beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, and life insurance to avoid gaps
Provide a certificate of trust for financial institutions that need to confirm the trust exists without seeing its full terms
Walk you through the amendment process so you understand how to update the trust as your life circumstances change

When do you need this service?

You own a home in California and want to transfer it to your heirs without a probate proceeding
You want to name a successor trustee who can manage your finances without court involvement if you become incapacitated
You are updating an older estate plan that used only a will and want to add probate avoidance
You have beneficiaries you want to treat differently, staggered distributions, age-based provisions, or conditions on an inheritance
You are recently married, divorced, or widowed and your current documents no longer reflect your wishes

What do homeowners ask about Revocable trusts?

What is the difference between a revocable trust and an irrevocable trust?

A revocable trust can be changed or dissolved by the grantor at any time during their lifetime. It does not remove assets from the taxable estate and does not protect them from creditors. An irrevocable trust cannot be easily changed once signed and is used for asset protection, Medi-Cal planning, or estate tax reduction. Most San Diego residents who want probate avoidance and flexibility use a revocable trust.

Does a revocable trust avoid estate taxes?

No. Assets in a revocable trust are still part of your taxable estate for federal estate tax purposes because you retain control of them during your lifetime. The federal estate tax exemption is high enough that most San Diego residents are not subject to it. The primary benefit of a revocable trust is probate avoidance, privacy, and continuity of management if you become incapacitated.

What happens to my revocable trust when I die?

At your death, the revocable trust becomes irrevocable. The successor trustee you named takes over, notifies beneficiaries and creditors, pays outstanding debts, files any required tax returns, and distributes the trust assets according to the terms you set. This process happens outside of probate court and is typically complete within a few months.

Can a revocable trust protect my assets from creditors?

No. Because you retain control of a revocable trust, creditors can reach the assets in it during your lifetime. Creditor protection requires an irrevocable trust structure. If asset protection is your primary goal, the attorney we match you with will discuss irrevocable trust options appropriate for your situation.

How do I know if the attorney you match me with is licensed in California?

The estate-planning attorneys in our network are licensed members of the State Bar of California. You can verify any California attorney's license and standing at calbar.ca.gov before you sign a fee agreement. Trust Law SD is a referral service and is not a law firm.