A living trust ensures your assets go exactly where you want, quickly and privately — without a costly, public court process.
Get My Free Consultation →Estate planning is the process of deciding what happens to your assets, your dependents, and your legacy after you're gone — and making sure those decisions are legally enforceable. Without a plan, the state decides for you through probate: a public, often lengthy, and expensive court process that can tie up your estate for months or even years.
A living trust is the centerpiece of a modern estate plan. Unlike a will, a trust transfers your assets directly to your beneficiaries without going through probate — privately, quickly, and exactly as you intended. Harrison Gunderson leads our estate planning practice and works personally with every client to build a plan that protects their family and their legacy.
Anyone with assets, a home, children, or a business. Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy — it's for anyone who wants control over what happens to the people and things they care about. If you own property, have minor children, or run a business, a trust is one of the most important documents you can have.
A living trust transfers assets directly to your beneficiaries — no court, no delays, no public record. Your family gets what you intended, fast.
Wills become public record when they go through probate. A trust stays private — only the people you choose ever know what you left and to whom.
Name a guardian, set conditions for how and when assets are distributed, and ensure your children are cared for exactly the way you'd want — even if you're not here.
Certain trust structures can protect assets from creditors, lawsuits, and even nursing home spend-down requirements — preserving more for your heirs.
A will alone goes through probate — which means court oversight, public disclosure, and delays of 6–18 months on average. A living trust avoids all of that. For most families with a home or any meaningful assets, a trust is the better choice. We'll help you understand what makes sense for your situation at no cost.
Probate typically takes 6–18 months in most states, and can stretch to 2–3 years if the estate is contested or complex. During that time, your family may not have access to the assets they need. A trust bypasses this entirely — assets can transfer within days of your passing.
An irrevocable trust, set up at least 5 years before applying for Medicaid, can shield assets from nursing home spend-down requirements. Timing matters — this is an area where planning early makes a significant difference. We'll walk you through the options available in your state.
Review your plan every 3–5 years or after any major life event: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, buying property, starting a business, or the death of a named trustee or beneficiary. An outdated plan can be almost as problematic as no plan at all.