ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE SERVICES FOR NORTH COUNTY

Protect Your Family And Your Legacy

We have been confidently guiding San Diego and North County families through the estate planning and administration process for more than 30 years.

 
ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE SERVICES FOR NORTH COUNTY

Protect Your Family And Your Legacy

We have been confidently guiding San Diego and North County families through the estate planning and administration process for more than 30 years.

ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE SERVICES FOR NORTH COUNTY

Protect Your Family And Your Legacy

We have been confidently guiding San Diego and North County families through the estate planning and administration process for more than 30 years.

Oceanside Trust Attorney

Few of us want to spend time thinking about what will happen after we are gone, but it’s not a question you can ignore. Planning for the future—even for a future you may not share—is particularly important if you know you will be leaving loved ones behind. One way to plan and safeguard your family’s future is to create a living trust. Making a living trust is a way of confirming your estate is managed according to your wishes. More importantly, it is a way of taking care of your loved ones when you are not there.

What Is a Living Trust?

When you place your property and assets in a trust, the trust itself assumes ownership over those assets, and you become the grantor of the trust. As the grantor, the trust and all the assets belonging to it remain under your control until after your death. When the grantor dies, the trust is passed down to whoever was appointed as trustee when the trust was made. The trustee, usually a family member or an estate planning attorney, is responsible for administering the trust and ensuring the assets are distributed according to the grantor’s wishes. Unlike a will, a living trust is not a public document. Nosy relatives cannot access the contents of an individual’s trust to see who the beneficiaries are unless specifically given access by the grantor or the trustee. A trust has some other benefits as well, such as allowing you to skip probate costs and perhaps avoid paying certain estate taxes.

Types of Living Trusts

There are two types of living trusts:

  1. Revocable Trust
  2. Revocable trusts are the most common and generally preferred type of trust, primarily due to their flexibility. While changing or revoking (canceling) a revocable trust takes some time and is not necessarily a simple process; it is a possibility. A revocable trust can be changed or canceled at any time by the grantor as they see fit.
  3. Irrevocable Trust
  4. While some people choose to make irrevocable trusts for tax reasons, such trusts are far less popular. This is because once completed, the trust cannot be changed, even by the grantor. Only a judge can make changes to an irrevocable trust after it has been finalized. Most people choose to make a revocable will instead, so they remain free to make adjustments if circumstances change. It is important to note that after the grantor is deceased, revocable trusts become irrevocable trusts automatically. In other words, after the grantor’s death, changes can only be made by a judge (not even the trustee), even if it was originally a revocable trust.

Why Make a Living Trust for My Estate?

Many people choose to set up a living trust to safeguard their property in the long term, avoid probate fees, and guarantee their loved ones’ futures. Almost any type of property or asset can be placed in a living trust, including:

  • Boats
  • Real estate
  • Bank accounts and savings
  • Jewelry and fine art
  • Some intellectual property

Not everyone needs to make a trust. For many, a simple will is sufficient. However, there are some advantages to making a living trust, especially for individuals with larger estates. Many people choose to create living trusts for the following reasons:

  • To avoid paying probate fees
  • To protect assets and property for minor children until they reach a legal age to assume ownership
  • To reduce or avoid estate taxes
  • To maintain privacy and keep finances from becoming public record
  • To provide greater flexibility than a will
  • To plan for future medical needs and expenses
  • To take care of things if the grantor becomes incapacitated

Do You Need a Trust Lawyer for a Trust?

It is possible to set up a trust on your own, but it is not generally recommended. A trust attorney, who is also called an estate planning attorney, is a lawyer who can set up a trust on your behalf and provide important advice about estate laws. Hiring a trust lawyer to help you plan your estate and set up a trust can ensure that the trust is made properly and that it works in harmony with your other estate planning documents. Anyone interested in setting up a living trust should always talk to an attorney first, so they understand the nuances and make sure they are on the right path for achieving the outcome they desire.

What Questions Would I Ask a Trust Attorney?

There are several important questions anyone interested in setting up a trust should ask their lawyer. Your estate planning attorney can clarify specific critical details and provide expert legal advice on making your trust and why. Some things you should consider discussing with your trust attorney include:

  • Who should I name as a trustee?
  • What does a trustee do?
  • How can I avoid probate costs?
  • How can I avoid estate taxes?
  • What are the drawbacks and advantages of making a trust?
  • What assets can be placed in a trust?
  • Do I still need power of attorney?
  • Do I still need a will?
  • What is the difference between a trust and a will?
  • How much does an attorney charge for a living trust?

Creating a living trust is a reliable way to safeguard your legacy and ensure your assets and property are protected during your lifetime and after you are gone. While few of us enjoy planning for a future we won’t be a part of, doing so is one of the most important things you can do for your family and any loved ones you will one day leave behind.

Experienced Oceanside Estate Planning Attorneys

When deciding to set up your living trust, choosing an experienced and dependable Oceanside attorney is crucial. Paul V.L. Campo, Attorney at Law, is a skilled Oceanside trust lawyer with years of experience in trust administration, developing estate plans, setting up trusts, and drafting wills. Contact the office of Paul V.L. Campo today to request a free 30-minute consultation to get the process started and learn more about trusts.



What Our Clients Say | Legal Associations


  • Jason

    “Thank you for your services in managing the probate of my mother’s estate. Your professionalism and fairness are much appreciated.”

    Jason
    Probate Client
  • Patty, California Licensed Professional Fiduciary (CLPF)

    “As a client of Paul’s in my capacity as a Professional Fiduciary, he has guided me through the intricacies of trust administration on many occasions.”

    Patty, California Licensed Professional Fiduciary (CLPF)
    Trust Administration Client
  • Jean

    “Mr. Campo did a great job on my estate planning. He was very thorough and made me aware of several things I hadn’t considered. I highly recommend him.”

    Jean
    Estate Planning/Trust Administration Client
  • Carol, Lt. Col. USMC (Ret.)

    “The service I received goes beyond professionalism. It’s all about caring for my wishes and goals and coming up with the ideal estate plan for me.”

    Carol, Lt. Col. USMC (Ret.)
    Estate Planning Client
  • Del

    “I am very grateful to Attorney Paul Campo and his excellent staff for guiding me through the complex probate process.”

    Del
    Probate Client

What Our Clients Say | Legal Associations


  • Jason

    “Thank you for your services in managing the probate of my mother’s estate. Your professionalism and fairness are much appreciated.”

    Jason
    Probate Client
  • Patty, California Licensed Professional Fiduciary (CLPF)

    “As a client of Paul’s in my capacity as a Professional Fiduciary, he has guided me through the intricacies of trust administration on many occasions.”

    Patty, California Licensed Professional Fiduciary (CLPF)
    Trust Administration Client
  • Jean

    “Mr. Campo did a great job on my estate planning. He was very thorough and made me aware of several things I hadn’t considered. I highly recommend him.”

    Jean
    Estate Planning/Trust Administration Client
  • Carol, Lt. Col. USMC (Ret.)

    “The service I received goes beyond professionalism. It’s all about caring for my wishes and goals and coming up with the ideal estate plan for me.”

    Carol, Lt. Col. USMC (Ret.)
    Estate Planning Client
  • Del

    “I am very grateful to Attorney Paul Campo and his excellent staff for guiding me through the complex probate process.”

    Del
    Probate Client

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