Estate Planning
Estate and trust planning is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family, but is often overlooked or avoided due to a lack of understanding of how to best accomplish your goals. At SageTrust™ Law Group, we’ll help to guide you through the process every step of the way.
Click here to download a summary of our Estate Planning Services.
Phase I – Analysis of Current Situation and Core Documents
- Initial meeting to gather information and determine client’s goals and objectives
- Provide summary of planning recommendations
- Review recommendations and agree on plan for implementation
- Prepare recommended Core Documents (i.e., Will, Revocable Living Trust, Durable Financial Power of Attorney, and Health Care Power of Attorney/Advance Directive, as applicable), which may include:
- Appointment of Guardian for minor children
- Specific guidance for management of financial and health care matters in the event of incapacity (with RLT)
- Probate avoidance and privacy with implementation of properly funded Revocable Living Trust (RLT)
- Ongoing Marital/Family Trusts for surviving spouse and/or children/descendants
- Appointment of Caregiver and Trust for Pet(s)
- Designation of Investment Manager to handle investment of trust assets in coordination with Trustee
- Appointment of Trust Protector to remove and replace Trustee and exercise other special administrative powers
- Finalize and execute Core Documents; provide Estate Plan Summary Chart and RLT Funding Memorandum (as applicable)
- Annual review meeting to discuss changes in current situation and applicable law changes (with enrollment in Preferred Client Maintenance Program)
Phase II – Advanced Planning
- Provide assistance with asset retitling and funding of Revocable Living Trust (as applicable)
- Prepare and implement advanced planning recommendations, such as:
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)
- Irrevocable Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT)/Dynasty Trust as receptacle for lifetime gifting
- Education Trust for Children
- Stand-Alone Retirement Trust
- Stand-Alone Special Needs Trust
- Stand-Alone Pet Trust
- Family Limited Liability Company (LLC) for asset protection and lifetime gifting
- Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT)
- Installment Sale to Grantor Trust (ISGT)
- Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
- Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)
- Advice regarding charitable gifting, including donor advised funds and private foundations
- Coordinate with client’s other advisors to assist with and complete implementation of planning recommendations