Revocable Trust

Your home, savings, investments, and personal property likely represent years—if not decades—of hard work. Of course, anyone would want those things handled smoothly after their passing, without dragging their family through court, and on their own terms. In the modern world, that can be hard to ask for. The legal world is strict, and estate planning documents can be confusing to navigate. However, there is one option: a revocable trust, which is one of the most effective tools available. 

Without a revocable trust, even families who think they’re organized or that the deceased’s wishes were clearly stated will end up dealing with frozen accounts, probate court, delays in accessing property, and additional estate taxes during an already difficult time. Assets that should’ve been transferred seamlessly can easily get stuck behind legal procedures, simply because they weren’t held in a trust. 

At Legacy Law Centers, we’ve helped families in Leesburg for over 16 years create revocable trusts that actually work, not just look good on paper. 

A Revocable Trust Offers Full Control and Continuity

Bypasses Probate Entirely

Assets placed in a revocable trust are owned by the trust, not you individually. That means when you pass, those assets don’t need court approval to transfer. Your family avoids probate altogether, which means skipping the court delays, court costs, and public filings.

Allows Immediate Asset Transfers

Probate is a public process. A revocable trust is private. Your financial details, property values, and family decisions stay out of the public record while assets move directly to the people you’ve chosen.

Provides Clear Instructions On Managing Assets

A revocable trust spells out exactly who manages your assets, how they’re managed, and when they’re distributed. This removes any confusion, second-guessing, and the “what would they have wanted?” conversations between family.

Protects You If You Become Incapacitated

If you’re ever unable to manage your finances due to illness or injury, your successor trustee can step in immediately—without court involvement—to pay bills, manage property, and protect your assets.

A DIY Revocable Trust Isn’t Worth the Risk

A revocable trust only works if it’s properly made and properly funded. 

DIY revocable trusts or generic online templates often fail due to:

• Assets never were transferred into the trust (which equals automatic invalidity)
• Trust instructions were unclear, vague, or outdated (even if it’s only slightly, it still equals invalidity)
• The trust didn’t fully comply with Virginia laws (which can be easy to miss)

And when that happens, families are pulled right back into court—the exact outcome the trust was supposed to prevent. Wasted money, wasted time, and even more stress. 

At Legacy Law Centers, we make sure your revocable trust fully complies with Virginia law, clearly reflects your own wishes, uses plain language, is properly funded, and is a beacon of truth for your family after your passing. 

Our Process, Your Success

Step 1: Getting Your Data

We strongly believe in crafting every document we make with our clients with personalization. Cookie-cutter templates or generic forms are never in our vocabulary for success. We start this process by getting to understand you, your family, your assets, concerns, and goals. 

Step 2: Designing Your Trust

We never want two plans to look the same, so we begin crafting your trust alongside you, ensuring everything you want to include is clearly written.

Step 3: Drafting and Review

We’ll give you your trust to review, and you will be met with clarity if you have questions, so that you’ll understand exactly how your trust works and why each decision matters.

Step 4: Finalize and Fund

We’ll guide you through signing your trust and transferring assets into it (arguably one of the most important steps), so the plan actually functions as intended.

Answering Commonly Asked Questions About Revocable Trusts

Do I still need a will if I have a revocable trust?

It’s a good idea. A will is typically used alongside a revocable trust to catch any assets that weren’t transferred into the trust during your lifetime and direct them into the trust after death.

Can I change or cancel my revocable trust later?

Absolutely. As long as you are mentally competent, you can update or revoke your trust at any time.

Does a revocable trust provide asset protection from creditors?

No. Because you retain control of the assets, a revocable trust does not shield them from personal creditors or lawsuits during your lifetime.

Are taxes affected by a revocable trust?

Generally, no. Assets in a revocable trust are still considered yours for income and estate tax purposes, and you continue to report income using your Social Security number.

What happens to the trust after I die?

The trust becomes irrevocable, and your successor trustee follows your instructions for paying expenses, settling matters, and distributing assets to beneficiaries.

How long does it take to set up a revocable trust?

Once planning decisions are made, most revocable trusts can be drafted and finalized within a few weeks, depending on complexity and asset coordination.

Take the Next Step Today

You don’t need to have a plan or all the answers before starting the process. That’s the purpose of working with a revocable trust attorney. 

At Legacy Law Centers, we make the process simple, clear, and focused on your goals.

Schedule your consultation today to take the next step of creating a secure future for your loved ones.