Revocable Living
Trust Agreement
Avoid probate, maintain privacy, and control how your assets are distributed. Create your Pennsylvania Living Trust online—retain full control during your lifetime.
What's Included
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Complete Trust AgreementProfessionally formatted for PA
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Trustee ProvisionsInitial and successor trustees
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Beneficiary TermsDistribution schedule and conditions
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Funding InstructionsHow to transfer assets into trust
Why Choose a Living Trust Over a Will?
Both are important, but trusts offer significant advantages for asset management and transfer.
Living Trust Benefits
- Avoids probate — Assets transfer immediately
- Privacy maintained — Not public record
- Harder to contest — More legal protection
- Incapacity planning — Successor trustee takes over
- Multi-state property — Single document covers all states
- Detailed control — Specific distribution terms
Will Limitations
- Requires probate — 6-12 months typically
- Public record — Anyone can view details
- Easier to contest — More vulnerable to challenges
- No incapacity planning — Only works at death
- Multi-state issues — May need ancillary probate
- Less flexible — Simpler distribution only
Best Practice: Use both a Living Trust for major assets and a "Pour-Over Will" to catch anything not in the trust. We offer both documents—create a complete estate plan today.
Why Pennsylvania Residents Choose Living Trusts
Avoid Probate Delays
Probate in Pennsylvania takes 6-12 months minimum and requires court supervision. Assets in a trust transfer to beneficiaries immediately after death, without court delays or public proceedings.
Maintain Privacy
Wills become public record during probate—anyone can see what you owned and who got it. Trusts remain completely private. Your financial affairs and family matters stay confidential.
Reduce Costs
Probate costs 3-7% of estate value in Pennsylvania (court fees, attorney fees, executor fees). By avoiding probate, your beneficiaries receive more of your estate without legal expenses eating away at it.
Incapacity Protection
If you become incapacitated, your successor trustee can manage trust assets immediately—no court-appointed guardian needed. Your family avoids the expense and stress of guardianship proceedings.
Flexible Control
Specify exactly when and how beneficiaries receive distributions. Create age milestones, educational incentives, or staggered payments. Protect beneficiaries from creditors, divorce, or poor financial decisions.
Easy to Modify
"Revocable" means you can change, amend, or dissolve the trust anytime while you're alive. You maintain complete control. If your situation changes, simply update the trust document.
Creating Your Trust: 7 Simple Steps
Grantor Details
Your information and trust name
Name Trustees
Initial and successor trustees
Beneficiaries
Who receives trust assets
Trust Property
Assets to fund the trust
Distribution Terms
When and how to distribute
Special Provisions
Additional terms (optional)
Review & Download
Get your trust document
After You Download
Creating the trust document is just the first step. To make it effective, you must:
- Sign and notarize the trust document (we provide instructions)
- Fund the trust by transferring assets into it (bank accounts, real estate, investments)
- Update beneficiary designations to coordinate with your trust
- Keep trust documents safe and give copies to your successor trustee
Common Questions About Living Trusts
Do I lose control of my assets?
No. You typically serve as the initial trustee, maintaining complete control during your lifetime. You can buy, sell, or transfer trust assets freely. The trust is "revocable," meaning you can modify or dissolve it anytime.
What assets should I put in the trust?
Real estate, bank accounts, investment accounts, business interests, and valuable personal property. Don't put retirement accounts (401k, IRA) in the trust—those have separate beneficiary designations. Life insurance also typically stays outside the trust.
Do I still need a Will if I have a trust?
Yes. You need a "Pour-Over Will" that transfers any assets not in the trust at your death into the trust. Also, only a Will can name guardians for minor children. Most people have both a trust and a Will.
How do I transfer assets into the trust?
For real estate, record a deed transferring ownership to the trust. For bank/investment accounts, contact the institution to retitle accounts in the trust's name. For personal property, execute an assignment document. We provide detailed funding instructions.
Does a trust save on taxes?
A revocable living trust doesn't reduce income or estate taxes—it's "transparent" for tax purposes. However, it avoids probate costs (3-7% of estate value), which can save thousands. For tax planning, you'd need an irrevocable trust or other strategies.
Can I create a trust if I'm married?
Yes. Married couples can create separate trusts or a joint trust. Joint trusts are simpler but separate trusts offer more flexibility. In Pennsylvania, most married couples choose joint trusts for shared assets and separate trusts for individual property.
Protect Your Estate & Your Family's Privacy
Avoid probate, reduce costs, and maintain complete control with a Living Trust.
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