Serving Maryland & Washington, D.C.
Trusts
A revocable living trust is the cornerstone of a comprehensive estate plan — keeping your estate out of probate court, protecting your privacy, and ensuring a seamless transfer to the people you love.
Trusts — Revocable Living Trusts
How a revocable living trust works
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer ownership of your assets into a trust that you control during your lifetime. You remain the trustee — you manage everything exactly as you do today. When you pass, a successor trustee you named steps in and distributes your assets directly to your beneficiaries, without any court involvement.
Because the trust — not you personally — owns the assets, there is nothing for probate court to administer. Your family avoids months of delays, court fees, and public filings.
Key benefits of a living trust
Avoid probate
Assets in the trust pass directly to beneficiaries — no court, no delays, no fees.
Maintain privacy
Unlike a will, a trust never becomes a public record. Your family's affairs stay private.
Incapacity protection
If you become incapacitated, your successor trustee manages your assets immediately — no court order needed.
Control from the grave
Set conditions on distributions — for example, holding assets for a child until they reach a certain age.
Multi-state property
Own property in multiple states? A trust avoids ancillary probate in each state.
Protect beneficiaries
Shield inheritances from a beneficiary's creditors, divorce, or poor financial decisions.
Funding your trust — the step most people miss
A trust that isn't funded is just a piece of paper. Funding means actually transferring your assets — your home, bank accounts, investment accounts — into the trust's name. This is where many DIY estate plans fall apart.
I don't just draft your trust — I walk you through the funding process and, for real property, I prepare and record the deed transfer as part of your plan.
Other trust types I can help with
Irrevocable Trust
Removes assets from your taxable estate and can protect them from Medicaid spend-down. Used in advanced asset protection and Medicaid planning.
Testamentary Trust
Created through your will and takes effect at death. Often used to hold assets for minor children until they reach a specified age.
Pour-Over Will + Trust
A will that "pours" any assets not already in your trust into it at death — ensuring nothing is left behind.
Specialized trusts I prepare
Beyond the standard revocable living trust, I prepare several specialized trust instruments that address unique planning needs — from protecting a firearm collection to honoring a lifetime of military service.
Military Families
Veteran's Trust
A Veteran's Trust is a specialized irrevocable trust designed to help veterans and their surviving spouses qualify for VA pension benefits — including Aid & Attendance — without spending down their life savings first. It works by repositioning assets in a way that satisfies the VA's net worth and asset transfer rules, preserving eligibility for benefits that can cover in-home care, assisted living, or nursing facility costs.
VA Aid & Attendance
Qualify for up to $2,300+/month in tax-free pension benefits to cover care costs
Asset preservation
Protect savings and real estate without a full Medicaid spend-down
Surviving spouse planning
Surviving spouses of veterans may also qualify — even if the veteran has passed
Coordinated with your estate plan
Integrated with your will, POA, and overall plan for a seamless strategy
Firearms Planning
Gun Trust (NFA Trust)
A Gun Trust — formally known as an NFA Trust — is a specialized revocable trust designed to hold firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA), including suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), machine guns, and other Title II weapons. Without a properly structured gun trust, transferring or even allowing another person to possess an NFA item can constitute a federal felony.
Legal shared possession
Named co-trustees can legally possess and use NFA items — spouses, adult children, trusted friends
Simplified NFA transfers
No CLEO signature required; no individual fingerprints or photos for co-trustees
Avoid probate on firearms
NFA items in a trust transfer to successor trustees without court involvement or a new ATF Form 4
Compliance built in
Trust language includes NFA-compliant provisions to protect trustees from inadvertent violations
A gun trust can also hold non-NFA firearms, making it a comprehensive solution for collectors and enthusiasts who want their collection managed and transferred properly.
Animal Care Planning
Pet Trust
Pets are family — but under the law, they are property. A standard will can name a caregiver for your pet, but it cannot legally require that person to use the funds for your pet's care, and it provides no ongoing oversight. A Pet Trust solves this. Maryland and D.C. both recognize statutory pet trusts, allowing you to set aside funds specifically for your animal's care with legally enforceable instructions.
Name a caregiver
Designate who will take physical custody of your pet and provide for their daily needs
Fund the trust
Set aside a specific amount for food, veterinary care, grooming, and other expenses
Name a trustee
A separate trustee manages the funds and ensures they are used for your pet's benefit
Specify care standards
Include instructions for diet, medical care, living arrangements, and end-of-life decisions
Any remaining trust funds after your pet passes can be directed to a named remainder beneficiary or a charitable organization of your choice.
Why a trust may be right for your family
A revocable living trust keeps your estate out of probate, protects your privacy, and ensures your assets transfer seamlessly to the people you love — without court involvement. Watch to learn how trusts work and whether one belongs in your plan.
Estate planning is the greatest gift you can leave
Whether your estate is large or small, a clear plan protects the people you love from court battles, frozen accounts, and family conflict at the worst possible time. Watch this short video to understand why planning now matters.
Common questions
Can I change or revoke my trust?
Yes — a revocable living trust can be amended or revoked at any time during your lifetime, as long as you are mentally competent. You remain in full control.
Do I still need a will if I have a trust?
Yes. You need a "pour-over will" to capture any assets that weren't transferred into the trust, and to name guardians for minor children — something a trust cannot do.
Does a trust protect my assets from creditors?
A revocable trust does not protect assets from your creditors during your lifetime — because you still control the assets. An irrevocable trust can provide creditor protection, but involves giving up control. We can discuss which approach fits your goals.
How long does it take to set up a trust?
After our consultation and intake, most trust plans are drafted within 1–2 weeks. Funding the trust — transferring assets — may take additional time depending on your financial institutions.
Do you prepare Gun Trusts for NFA items?
Yes. I prepare NFA-compliant Gun Trusts for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and other Title II weapons. A properly drafted gun trust allows named co-trustees to legally possess NFA items and ensures your collection transfers without probate or a new ATF Form 4.
What is a Veteran's Trust and who qualifies?
A Veteran's Trust is a specialized irrevocable trust that helps veterans and surviving spouses qualify for VA pension benefits — including Aid & Attendance — by repositioning assets to meet the VA's net worth rules. Veterans who served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a period of war, and who need help with daily activities, may qualify. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may also be eligible.
Can I set up a Pet Trust for multiple animals?
Yes. A single pet trust can cover all of your animals. You can specify different caregivers for different pets if needed, and include individual care instructions for each animal.
Other Practice Areas
Ready to get started?
I'll walk you through your options — no pressure, no jargon. Just a plain conversation about protecting what matters most.