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A well-structured trust can play a vital role in protecting your assets, preserving your privacy, and strengthening your overall estate planning strategy. Trusts give you the ability to control how and when your wealth is distributed, while also helping your loved ones avoid the delays and public nature of probate. Our Washington, DC team works closely with individuals and families to design trusts tailored to their goals, financial circumstances, and long-term plans.
Trusts offer significant advantages that go beyond what a will alone can provide. By establishing a trust, you can:
Trust-held assets transfer directly to beneficiaries, allowing for faster distribution without court oversight.
Protect Wealth
Shield certain assets from creditors, marital disputes, or lawsuits through proper trust structuring.
Control Inheritance
Specify when and under what conditions beneficiaries may access funds—such as reaching a certain age, completing education, or meeting other milestones.
Strategically designed trusts may help minimize federal or state estate taxes.
Maintain Privacy
Unlike wills, trusts remain private documents during estate settlement.
Without a will, DC’s intestacy laws determine who receives your property. Often, this means following a strict hierarchy that may not reflect your preferences, blended family structures, or personal relationships.
Although trust laws differ from state to state, most trusts recognized nationally are also valid in Washington, DC. Some of the most common include:
Revocable Living Trust
Allows you to retain control of your assets during your lifetime and smoothly transfer them to beneficiaries at your passing — all without probate. You may amend or revoke the trust at any time.
Irrevocable Trust
Once created, the terms typically cannot be changed. These trusts offer enhanced asset protection and can be used for tax planning and wealth preservation.
Special Needs Trust
Provides financial support for a loved one with disabilities while maintaining their eligibility for government assistance programs.
Testamentary Trust
Created within a will and activated after your death, often used to manage assets for minors or individuals who need structured oversight.
Each type of trust serves a unique purpose, and the right choice depends on your goals, your family’s needs, and how you want your assets to be managed now and in the future.
Every trust involves three essential parties:
Assets placed into a trust are legally owned by the trust itself—not the grantor. This structure ensures smoother asset transfer, increased protection, and reduced involvement from the probate court.
Trusts often work hand-in-hand with wills and other Estate Planning documents to create a comprehensive, coordinated plan. Trusts can be used to:
Because trusts are flexible and customizable, they can serve both straightforward and highly complex estate planning needs.
When You May Want to Establish a Trust
You may benefit from creating a trust if you:
Want your estate to settle more efficiently
Have children, grandchildren, or beneficiaries with special needs
Own valuable property, investments, or multiple real estate holdings
Seek protection from potential creditors or legal judgments
Want to reduce estate tax exposure
Trusts offer a higher degree of control and protection, helping ensure your family’s long-term financial security.
A trust is more than a legal document—it’s a strategic way to safeguard your legacy, maintain control of your assets, and provide long-term stability for the people you care about. Cohen Law provides individualized guidance, helping you choose the right type of trust and structuring it to comply with all legal requirements.
Take charge of your future. Contact us today to learn how a customized trust can strengthen your estate planning and protect your assets.
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5335 Wisconsin Ave NW #440, Washington, DC 20015