Revocable Living Trust Attorney in Pennsylvania
A revocable living trust is a flexible planning tool that keeps you in control during life and helps your family avoid probate at death. At Chadwick Estate Law, we design and fund revocable trusts so assets move to your beneficiaries efficiently and privately without unnecessary court involvement through the Pennsylvania Orphans’ Court or the local Register of Wills.
With a Georgetown LL.M. in Taxation and AmLaw 100 experience, Bass Chadwick delivers big-firm sophistication with boutique attention, so you understand exactly how your trust works and why it’s right for your family.
Primary CTA: Schedule a Revocable Trust Consultation.
What Is a Revocable Living Trust?
A revocable living trust is an arrangement you create now. You typically serve as your own trustee, keep full control of the assets, and can amend or revoke the trust at any time. When you pass away, the successor trustee distributes assets without probate—a court process that can add time, filings, and public exposure.
Key benefits:
Avoids probate on assets titled to the trust
Privacy (no public probate file for trust assets)
Continuity if you’re incapacitated—your successor trustee can step in without guardianship proceedings
Multi-state efficiency—helpful if you own real estate in more than one state (avoids ancillary probate)
Note: An Revocable Trust does not provide creditor protection and does not eliminate Pennsylvania inheritance tax. It’s about efficiency and control, not tax sheltering.
How an RLT Fits with the Rest of Your Plan
Pour-Over Will: Catches any assets not retitled to the trust and “pours” them into the RLT at death (those assets may still require probate).
Powers of Attorney: Financial and healthcare POAs remain essential for matters outside the trust and medical decisions.
Living Will / Advance Directive: States your medical wishes and reduces family stress in a crisis.
Beneficiary Designations: We coordinate retirement accounts (IRA/401(k)), life insurance, and TOD/POD accounts with your trust so nothing conflicts.
Funding: The Step That Makes (or Breaks) Your Trust
A revocable trust only works if funded, meaning assets are properly retitled or beneficiary-designated to align with the trust. We provide and help execute a funding checklist tailored to your assets:
Commonly retitled to the trust
Non-retirement investment/brokerage accounts
Bank accounts (some clients keep one checking account in individual name for convenience)
Taxable mutual funds/CDs
Pennsylvania real estate (and out-of-state real estate to avoid ancillary probate)
Typically not retitled (case-by-case)
Retirement accounts (IRA/401(k)) — usually keep in your name; update beneficiaries (sometimes the trust is beneficiary if minors/complexity)
Life insurance — often keep individual ownership; adjust beneficiary to trust only if needed (e.g., minor beneficiaries, special provisions)
Vehicles — often left outside the trust unless part of specific planning
We’ll coordinate with your financial advisor and CPA so funding is correct and tax-aware.
Is a Revocable Trust Right for Me?
Often a great fit if you:
Want to avoid probate and keep affairs private
Own real estate in more than one state
Want built-in incapacity planning without courts
Prefer staged inheritances or discretionary management for beneficiaries
Want to simplify administration for your executor/family
A simple will may be enough if you:
Own all assets in a single state, with straightforward beneficiary designations
Are comfortable with your estate going through a modest probate process
Have minimal need for privacy or ongoing management
We’ll advise honestly—we don’t recommend a trust unless it adds real value.
FAQs
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Yes—for assets titled to the trust. Assets left outside the trust may still require probate through the Register of Wills/Orphans’ Court.
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No. Revocable trusts don’t eliminate PA inheritance tax or federal estate tax. They’re for efficiency, privacy, and continuity, not tax sheltering. We’ll still structure distributions tax-smart.
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Yes. A pour-over will names an executor, appoints guardians for minor children, and captures any assets not in the trust.
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Choose a responsible adult (or corporate trustee) who is organized, neutral, and willing to serve. You can name co-trustees and backups to ensure continuity.
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Drafting and signing can be quick; funding timelines depend on banks, brokers, and deed recording. We drive the process and keep you informed.
Protect Your Legacy with a Plan You Understand
Call 215-277-0888, email Bass or fill out this form to get started.
