Attend a Free Estate Planning Workshop This helps heirs avoid court battles, administrative delays, and significant costs that can deplete the estate. Gaining a better understanding of a living trust and the part it plays in protecting your assets is crucial for planning for your and your loved ones' future. Particularly in a state like California, with its intricate probate system and high property values, a living trust offers significant advantages. Individuals and families prioritizing asset protection have other options for preserving their wealth against creditors or legal claims. Asset Protection Trust Pros and Cons Our trusts are designed to work in real life for real people—you still file taxes the same way, use your money the same way, and you still have total access and control. You live out of your living trust and protect your assets with your asset protection trust. You need all three cars—the will, the living trust, and the asset protection trust—in your estate planning train to create an integrated system. Many clients ask if they still need a living trust after they form an asset protection trus

Courts can reverse transfers that appear to be made with the intent to avoid creditors, so timing and intent matter. Asset protection begins with identifying what you own, how it’s titled, and where the risk lies. Often, juries will blame professionals and business owners because they have wealth, the ability to produce more income and insurance. There are many types of asset protection trusts, each having its own benefits and drawbacks. The more access the beneficiary has to the trust property, the more access the beneficiary's creditors will hav

He was able to clearly answer all the questions I had and made me feel at ease that he had my best interests in mind. 5 Star Review – Erick and his team are doing a wonderful job of helping me establish a financial plan so I may confidently work toward my goals. "They truly have a vested interest in my financial goals and they take their time going over any questions I may have. "She and her team have managed my finances in ways that have given me some freedom during crushing times with my ex-husband. "We feel so blessed knowing our money is secure and that EP Wealth is proactive in notifying us of opportunities to adjust our portfolio to better serve our needs."17 Integrated support for high net-worth families with complex financial needs, including coordination of investments, planning strategies, and multi-generational considerations that may evolve over tim

Save Time & Money Virtue Wealth Management is a trusted, fee-only fiduciary financial advisor in Santa Clarita, CA. Through the highs & lows of markets and global shifts, we've always had the peace of mind knowing that EPW has our best interests in view and protects our investments with our long-term retirement plans in mind."1 The entire team consistently provides detailed explanations based on the depth of their knowledge with the financial markets."1 I could not be happier with EP and honestly recommend to anyone looking for an investing partner to at least meet w the local team."5 I have 100% confidence that my advisors at EP Wealth have my best interests at the forefront of all decisions made."3 We appreciate the experience, the honesty, and the clear communication..."7 Contact a financial planner today and find out how they can help you prepare financially for major life changes, investments, personal finance, or business finances. Imagine how you’ll feel to have a plan to be debt-free someday. Anytime you start something new you get that feeling of doubt that it works for others but not you. In the beginning it might feel bumpy because it’s new but after a little while you’ll get used to it and you’ll enjoy retirement income strategies the process of moving towards your goals. Fee Structure: Opt for Fee-Based Compensation Is your money really aligned with what’s important in your life? In fact, you can get a free review of your account and we’ll explain how we would manage it as your financial advisor. Any type of account whether Traditional IRA, Roth IRA or a non-retirement account, we’ve got you covered. They might have had a bad experience with another financial advisor or a fi

Special Provisions: When to Include Them in Your Estate Plan You can serve as your trustee initially, but it’s crucial to appoint a successor trustee who will take over upon your incapacity or death. While it’s possible to choose a friend or family member to manage your trust for you, choosing an unbiased third-party trustee (like a bank) has several benefits. A better result is for the trust to provide that the trust continue to be held and managed by a Trustee, but that the adult beneficiary be given the right and power to serve as his or her own Trustee. Even if your state doesn’t require notarization, it’s an additional way to ensure the validity of your trust fund, should it be challenged in the future. For example, he adds, "If you want a stepchild to benefit, that’s something you should spell out explicitly." Otherwise, your biological children could challenge the stepchild’s right to receive distributions. Updating the trust’s terms ensures that beneficiaries, designated beneficiaries, and successor trustees remain accurate. What are the Steps for Setting Up a Living Trus