Protect What Matters Most — Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning Made Simple.
Attorney-guided estate planning you can manage securely online. Create, update, and share your plan anytime with full legal oversight.
Attorney-guided estate planning you can manage securely online. Create, update, and share your plan anytime with full legal oversight.
Find The Right Package for You!
WE OPERATE IN 49 STATES.
Key Benefits
Legal services provided by attorneys in the Professional Attorney Network
Secure digital account to create, store, and update your estate plan
Track assets and order deeds as your estate grows
Grant access to trusted individuals such as family members, financial advisors, or executors
What Makes Us Different
Attorney Oversight:
All documents created within our Estate Guru Professional Attorney Network
Secure Account:
Manage your plan from anywhere.
Continuous Updates:
Modify and add documents anytime.
Family Collaboration:
Securely share access with loved ones.
Asset Tracking:
Visual summaries and tools to add assets as your estate grows.
Property Alignment:
Order deeds to properly title real estate to your trust.
PROS OF REVOCABLE TRUST
Avoiding Probate
• Main Benefit: Assets held in a revocable trust generally bypass probate court after the grantor’s death.
• Why It Matters: Saves time, reduces costs, and maintains privacy compared to the public probate process.
Maintaining Control During Lifetime
• The grantor (creator) of the trust retains full control — they can change, amend, or revoke the trust at any time.
• This flexibility makes it ideal for those who want to manage assets but still adapt to changing circumstances.
Continuity of Management During Incapacity
• If the grantor becomes incapacitated, the successor trustee can step in and manage the trust assets without court intervention.
• This helps avoid the need for a court-appointed conservator or guardian.
Privacy Protection
• Unlike wills, trusts are not public documents.
• This keeps the details of one’s estate — including asset distribution — private.
Efficient Asset Distribution
• Assets can be distributed quickly and smoothly to beneficiaries, without delays caused by probate.
• The trust can also specify conditions for distributions (e.g., staggered payments, age milestones).
Simplifying Management of Out-of-State Property
• Holding real estate in different states through the trust can avoid multiple probate proceedings in each state.
Supporting Estate Planning Goals
• A revocable trust is integrated with other estate planning tools — such as pour-over wills, durable powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives — for a comprehensive plan.
Flexibility and Easy Amendment
• The trust can be amended or revoked at any time as long as the grantor is alive and competent, allowing for updates due to family, financial, or legal changes.
Potential Tax and Planning Advantages
• While a revocable trust itself doesn’t reduce estate taxes, it facilitates efficient post-death tax planning (e.g., funding credit shelter or marital trusts).
Peace of Mind
• Knowing that your assets and loved ones are protected, managed, and distributed according to your wishes provides emotional and financial security.
Estate Planning
What Is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is the process of legally documenting how your property, finances, healthcare, and responsibilities will be managed—both during your life and after.
Why It Matters:
Why It Matters:
It defines who receives your assets, appoints decision-makers, minimizes legal disputes and legal fees. Provides peace of mind.
Core Documents:
Revocable Living Trust
Certification of Trust
Pour-Over Wills
Comprehensive Transfer Document
Community Property Agreement (if applicable)
Asset Schedule
Financial Power of Attorney(s)
Healthcare Power of Attorney(s)
CORE Documents in An Estate Plan
Will: Outlines how your assets should be distributed and names guardians for dependents.
Trust: Holds and manages assets for your beneficiaries, often with more control and flexibility than a will. Avoids probate
Financial Power of Attorney (FPOA): Authorizes someone to manage financial affairs on your behalf.
CORE Documents in An Estate Plan
Healthcare Power of Attorney (HPOA): Designates who can make medical decisions if you’re incapacitated.
Advance Healthcare Directive / Living Will: States your medical treatment preferences in advance.
HIPAA Authorization: Allows your chosen representative to access medical information and coordinate care.
Different Estate Types
Intestate Succession (No Plan)
Court decides asset distribution
It is costly
Public process often delays and conflicts
Intestate Succession (No Plan)
Probate Estate (With Will)
Validates the Will
Pays debts and taxes
Transfers remaining assets
Public and time-consuming
It is costly
Trust Estate (With Trust)
Avoids probate
Maintains privacy
Manages assets during incapacity
Allows controlled, faster distribution
Will vs. Full Estate Plan
Understand the difference between a simple Will and a complete Estate Plan.
| Feature | Will | Estate Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Directs who receives assets after death | Protects assets and beneficiaries during life and after |
| Includes | One document for distributions/guardianship | Multiple documents (Will, Trust, POAs, healthcare directives) |
| Avoids Probate | ❌ No | ✅ Yes, assets in trust bypass probate |
| Manages Assets During Lifetime | ❌ No | ✅ Yes, through trusts and POAs |
| Covers Healthcare Decisions | ❌ No | ✅ Yes, with HPOA and directives |
| Updates Easily | Moderate | High flexibility |
| Best For | Simple estates | Comprehensive protection |
Why Taxes Matter in Estate Planning
Effective planning protects not only assets but also their value. Depending on the size of the estate and the state of residence, taxes may apply:
Estate Taxes: Levied on large estates before assets are passed on.
Inheritance Taxes: Paid by beneficiaries in some states.
Gift Taxes: Apply to transfers of money or property above a certain amount while you’re still living and when you pass away.
Thoughtful planning can minimize or eliminate these tax burdens.
FAQs
What is estate planning?
Estate planning is the process of legally documenting how you want your assets, healthcare, and responsibilities managed during your life and after your passing. It ensures your wishes are honored, reduces family disputes, and minimizes court involvement and taxes.
Why is estate planning important?
An estate plan protects your loved ones, ensures your assets go to the right people, minimizes legal costs and taxes, and provides direction for your care if you become incapacitated. Without one, state laws decide how your estate is distributed.
Who needs an estate plan?
Everyone over 18 should have at least a basic estate plan—especially anyone who owns property, has savings or investments, or cares for dependents.
What’s the difference between a Will or a Trust?
A Will directs who receives your assets after death and names guardians for minors.
An Estate Plan is more comprehensive—it includes a Will, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and healthcare directives that protect your wishes both during your life and after.
What documents are typically included in an estate plan?
Common documents include:
• Last Will and Testament
• Revocable Living Trust
• Financial Power of Attorney
• Healthcare Power of Attorney
• Living Will / Advance Directive
• HIPAA Authorization
• Guardianship Designations
What’s the benefit of a Revocable Living Trust?
A revocable trust helps avoid probate, maintains privacy, provides continuity of management during incapacity, and allows assets to be distributed smoothly according to your instructions. It also helps coordinate out-of-state property and complex family needs.
What does “funding a trust” mean?
Funding your trust means transferring ownership of your assets—like real estate, bank accounts, or investments—into the name of the trust. Without funding, the trust won’t work as intended, and your estate may still go through probate.
What happens if I forget to fund my trust?
Any assets left out of the trust may still need to go through probate. A pour-over Will can help by transferring remaining assets into your trust after death, but it won’t avoid probate entirely.
Which assets should I transfer into my trust?
Typically, you’ll transfer:
• Real estate
• Bank and investment accounts
• Business interests
• Notes payable to you
You’ll also review beneficiary designations for life insurance or annuities to ensure they align with your plan.
What assets should not be transferred to a trust?
You generally shouldn’t retitle tax-deferred retirement accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s into your trust, as doing so can trigger taxes. Instead, name your spouse as the primary beneficiary and your trust as the contingent beneficiary.
How do I transfer real estate into my trust?
You’ll need a new deed showing the trust as the owner. Deeds can be ordered for $199 per property. Processing typically takes 10–14 business days. Note that deed preparation is not available in AL, AR, DC, LA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, SC, or VA.
Do you operate in all states?
Estate guru’s services are available in 49 states, excluding Louisiana.
What if my beneficiary receives government aid?
If a beneficiary receives state or federal aid, a Special Needs Trust (SNT) can be created within your Revocable Trust to protect their eligibility. The Successor Trustee usually oversees the SNT unless you designate someone else.
