Protect Your Assets and Maintain Control With a Customized Revocable Living Trust
When you picture the future, you probably want your family to stay out of court, avoid confusion, and receive what you have worked for with as little stress as possible. A revocable living trust is often a key tool to make that happen under Virginia law. If you are not sure where to start, you are not alone.
Many people in Richmond wonder whether they really need a trust, how it fits with a will, and whether it is worth the time and cost. At Johnson, Gasink & Baxter, LLP, we help clients across Virginia answer those questions in plain language and then put practical plans in place.
Our estate planning attorneys have more than half a century of combined experience focused on planning and probate. Members of our team have been recognized by Super Lawyers, and we hold a 10.0 rating in Estate Planning from Avvo. We use that background to guide you through options, including work with a revocable living trust attorney, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Are you ready to create a plan with a Richmond revocable living trust attorney who can help you stay in control while protecting your family’s future? Call Johnson, Gasink & Baxter, LLP today at (888) 487-9899 or contact us online to schedule your personalized consultation!
Why Choose Our Living Trust Team
Choosing someone to draft a revocable living trust means choosing the people who will help shape how your family is cared for in the years ahead. Our firm focuses its work on estate planning and probate matters for Virginia families, including trust-based plans for a wide range of estate sizes. We work with clients who own a single home and retirement accounts, as well as those with more complex holdings.
We deliberately make legal conversations comfortable. Our attorneys explain options and legal terms in everyday language, answer questions directly, and check in at each step so you know what we are doing and why. Many clients tell us that this approach helps them move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling organized and supported.
Credentials can help you feel more secure about this important choice. Our attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers, and our Avvo Rating of 10.0 in Estate Planning reflects many years of focused work in this area. Combined with decades of planning experience across different estate sizes, this recognition signals that we take our responsibilities seriously.
We also understand that life does not stand still after you sign your documents. Our TrustGuard service offers ongoing estate plan management and updates as your family, assets, and laws change. Our goal is to give you a long term relationship with a team that already knows your plan and can help you keep it current without starting from scratch each time.
Because we maintain offices in locations such as Richmond and Williamsburg, as well as additional appointment only offices in Virginia, we are able to meet with you in person when that is helpful. We pair that accessibility with billing transparency, explaining our fee structure upfront so you know what to expect before you decide how to proceed with a living trust attorney Richmond.
What A Revocable Living Trust Does
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer certain assets into a trust during your lifetime while still keeping control. You usually serve as your own trustee at first, which means you can manage, spend, and change things much as you do today. The trust includes detailed instructions that take effect if you become incapacitated or after your death.
Compared with relying only on a will, a trust based plan can provide several advantages. In Virginia, a will generally goes through a Circuit Court for probate, which is a public process that can take time and require ongoing filings. Assets that are properly titled in a revocable living trust are typically administered outside of formal probate, which can ease the burden on your family.
For many families in Richmond, a living trust is especially helpful if they own real estate, have children from more than one relationship, wish to protect a beneficiary with spending challenges, or simply want to keep their affairs private. A trust can also coordinate how and when children or grandchildren receive funds, rather than leaving everything outright at one time.
It is also important to understand what a revocable trust does not do by itself. It is not a guarantee against all taxes or creditor claims, and it does not avoid the need to retitle assets. The benefits of working with a living trust lawyer come from careful drafting, proper signing, and thoughtful coordination of your accounts and property.
Key advantages many clients look for include:
Keeping control of assets during life while planning for incapacity.
Reducing the need for loved ones to open a full probate with a Virginia Circuit Court.
Providing clear instructions that can help reduce conflict among heirs.
Maintaining more privacy than a will that is filed with the court.
Coordinating how and when children or grandchildren receive what you leave.
When we meet with you, we discuss whether these potential advantages line up with your goals, and whether a trust, a will based plan, or a combination of tools makes the most sense in your situation.
Our Living Trust Planning Process
Knowing that a revocable living trust might be useful is only part of the picture. Many people hesitate because they are unsure what the process will involve or how much work it will be for them. Our goal is to provide a clear path from your first call to a fully implemented plan, with our team guiding you at each step.
We typically begin with a conversation where we listen to your goals, family dynamics, concerns, and questions. During this meeting, we talk about your current documents, if any, and outline the main differences between a will based and trust based estate plan in Virginia. We then explain whether a revocable living trust attorney from our firm may be the right fit for your planning needs.
If you decide to move forward, we ask you to gather information about your assets and key relationships so we can design a plan that reflects your real life. We then meet to review a recommended structure, including who would step in as trustee if you become incapacitated, how beneficiaries would receive funds, and how your will, powers of attorney, and medical directives will coordinate with the trust.
After you approve the design, we prepare the documents and review them with you so you understand how each part works together. Once everything is ready, we schedule a signing meeting that follows Virginia requirements, then provide guidance on the next phase, which is often called funding the trust. This typically means retitling certain accounts and property into the name of the trust or updating beneficiary designations where appropriate.
Our work does not have to stop there. Through our TrustGuard service, we offer ongoing estate plan management and reviews tailored to your needs. As your family grows, your assets change, or Virginia law is updated, we work with you to make thoughtful adjustments so your plan keeps matching your goals over time.
Before your first meeting, it can help to think about:
Who you trust to make financial and medical decisions if you cannot.
How you would like assets to be divided among family, friends, or charities.
Any loved ones who might need extra protection or guidance with money.
Real estate, business interests, or accounts that are especially important to you.
Previous planning documents you have signed in Virginia or elsewhere.
By approaching the process in clear stages and explaining each step as we go, we work to make planning with a living trust attorney feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
Working With A Local Richmond Attorney
Estate planning is rooted in state law, and the practical impact of your choices often shows up in local courts. In Virginia, probate for a will without a trust usually takes place in the Circuit Court for the city or county where the person lived, such as the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond. Understanding how those courts operate helps us tailor plans that work in practice, not just on paper.
When you work with a living trust lawyer in Richmond, you gain the benefit of a team familiar with the way Virginia clerks, commissioners of accounts, and local procedures handle estates and trusts. That knowledge helps us design instructions that are clear for the people who will actually administer your plan, whether that happens soon or many years from now.
Our office in Richmond makes it simple to meet with us in person if you prefer to sit across the table and review documents together. We also serve clients throughout Virginia, including from our Williamsburg location and other appointment only offices, and we can use phone or video meetings when that is more convenient. We adapt the meeting format to what works for you while keeping the same level of personal attention.
Because we regularly work with financial institutions and professionals who operate in this region, we are familiar with many of the practical questions that arise when funding trusts or administering estates. While each situation is different, we can often anticipate where paperwork or timing might cause delays and help you and your chosen trustees plan around those issues.
For many families in the Richmond area, the comfort of knowing that their attorney understands both Virginia law and the local probate landscape is a key reason to seek out a revocable living trust lawyer Richmond rather than relying solely on generic online forms.
Contact Our Richmond Revocable Living Trust Lawyer Today
Estate planning is easy to put off, especially when life is busy and the choices feel unfamiliar. Taking a first step now can spare your family uncertainty later and give you peace of mind that your wishes are written down in a way that works within Virginia law.
At Johnson, Gasink & Baxter, LLP, we work to make the process of creating or updating a revocable living trust clear and manageable. Our attorneys listen carefully, explain options in straightforward terms, and provide ongoing support as your life changes. We serve clients throughout Virginia from offices including Richmond and Williamsburg, and we discuss fees and options upfront so you can decide what is right for you.
We invite you to schedule a time to talk with a living trust attorney about your goals, your family, and how a trust based plan might help. Your conversation with us is an opportunity to get practical answers and decide on next steps at your own pace.
How Long Does It Take To Set Up My Revocable Living Trust?
The timeline depends on how quickly you can make decisions and provide information. Many clients move from our first meeting to signed documents within several weeks. We outline the steps at the beginning so you know what is needed and when you can expect each stage.
How Much Does A Living Trust Cost Compared To A Simple Will?
A trust-based plan usually involves more work upfront than a simple will, so the initial fee is often higher. Our firm discusses fees and options with you at the start, explains what is included, and helps you weigh short-term cost against potential probate-related time and expense later.
Will I Still Control My Assets If They Are In The Trust?
In a typical revocable living trust, you keep day to day control. You can change investments, sell property, and amend or revoke the trust while you have capacity. We explain how trustee powers work so you feel comfortable that your plan preserves the control you want while preparing for future needs.
Straight-forward and relatable legal counsel that you can understand from start to finish.
Your Legacy, Handled with Care
We offer confidential consultations and can discuss your estate plan in full.
Continuous Care for Your Estate Plan
Our TrustGuard™ service allows you to make and maintain up-to-date estate plans.
50+ Years of Legal Insight, On Your Side
We use more than a half-century combined experience to your benefit.
“Very knowledgeable and happy to answer all of our questions”
Very knowledgeable and happy to answer all of our questions. Made the trust planning process very easy for us and very friendly.
D.T.
“I highly recommend!”
We had a wonderful experience here! Attorney Michael Hendricks made the difficult estate planning very simple for us and helped us through each step. I highly recommend!
D.R.
“Mr. Baxter was both amiable and professional”
Our very trusted financial advisor gave us the name of this firm when we asked for estate planning help. Mr. Baxter was both amiable and professional, getting to the point when we asked each of our questions, but in such a way we felt we could ask further questions and bounce ideas around before settling on a plan. The support staff was equally helpful, leaving an overall impression of across the board focus on our needs, as well as very friendly follow through. They supplied us with a very thorough binder as well as all files in PDF form so that we can supply parties involved in either paper copies or digital files easily.
R.D.
“We have confidence in Jeremy's support of us in the future.”
We had felt a need to overhaul our existng estate plan and, based on very favorable published reviews, we switched over to Johnson, Gasink & Baxter. The initial presentation and thoroughness was very clear and we felt very comfortable with Jeremy Johnson. He took pains to ensure we understood the details while, at the same time, showing understanding and empathy with our personal family situation. Jeremy's follow up review of the finished plan followed quickly and, as before was conducted in a friendly and cordial manner. We have confidence in Jeremy's support of us in the future.
