We crafted our Baseline Trust to meet these goals:

1. Preparing for the care of your family in the event of your sickness or death.
2. Providing a legal instrument to direct your care if you become incapacitated. The Baseline Trust also cares for your loved ones and takes over during periods when you are unable. The trust allows your Trustee to invest, buy, and sell. Real estate transactions are easier for an incapacitated person with a trust than without.
3. Using a trust for management is superior to relying on power of attorney. A trust instrument is the clear choice of financial institutions over power of attorney. An introductory trust does not need to have complexity to support sound management.
4. Such a trust doesn’t require involvement of the probate court and the complications that accompany probate. 
5. Each beneficiary can be treated uniquely addressing their own needs, including supporting persons with special circumstances or issues. 
6. Saving time and trouble in settling your estate is a big deal. The Baseline Trust will do that by owning the assets ahead of time. Thus, it will be capable of avoiding probate court (where most of the time and trouble comes in to play).
7. Helping to manage your affairs as you age or if you become ill. 
8. Providing the following legal documents:
   • Living Trust: The cornerstone of your plan, ensuring seamless management and transfer of your assets.
   • Last Will & Testament: A backup plan for any assets not included in your trust, ensuring all bases are covered.
   • Power of Attorney: Authorizes a trusted person to manage your financial affairs if you’re unable to do so.
   • Medical Directives: Provides clear instructions for your healthcare decisions in case you’re incapacitated.
   • Assignment of Personal Property: Ensures cherished items are distributed according to your wishes.

Setting up a trust earlier rather than later can help you start to take advantage of estate planning benefits. Naturally, there’s no substitute for being prepared and well organized. 

What can’t this trust do?

There are lots of things you may want to accomplish that require a more robust trust. Saving estate taxes is one. Protecting assets is another. Being revocable doesn’t protect you and your assets from the claims of creditors and predators. We would note that even the most complex revocable trust does not, by itself, protect you and your assets during your lifetime. That said, a Baseline Trust can be a springboard for protection for your family and be modified as your family and financial situation changes. 

You may have other important goals that can only be achieved with a more in-depth document, but the good news is that these trusts can be amended during your lifetime allowing adaptability to changing circumstances.

This plan is fitting for someone who wants to get started with an estate plan, but who may not want some of the advanced tools just yet. Sometimes, this trust is all your estate will ever need. Other times, you may need more (see more comprehensive trust plans).

Our goal is always to keep your plan easy and protective, and allow you to leave a legacy of love rather than the hassles and trouble of an unplanned estate.

Wondering if you’ll need more? Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our paralegals.