Charlottesville Trusts Attorney
Skeen Law Offices in Charlottesville, VA, offers dedicated trusts attorney services to help families and individuals protect their assets and plan for the future. If you need a trusts attorney in Charlottesville, VA, call 434-293-9664 to schedule a consultation with Skeen Law Offices today.
A trust is a legal arrangement that lets you control how your assets are managed and distributed, both during your lifetime and after. Working with a qualified trusts attorney can help you choose the right trust structure, fund it correctly, and avoid costly mistakes down the road. Skeen Law Offices serves clients throughout Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and Central Virginia.
Trust Types We Can Help You Create
Skeen Law Offices can assist with several types of trusts depending on your goals.
- Revocable Living Trust: Allows you to retain control of assets during your lifetime while enabling your estate to avoid probate upon your passing.
- Irrevocable Trust: Transfers assets out of your taxable estate, which may help minimize federal gift and estate taxes.
- Special Needs Trust: Provides for a loved one with a disability without disqualifying them from government benefits.
- Testamentary Trust: Created through your will and takes effect at death, often used to manage assets for minor children.
Attorney Evan Skeen focuses his practice on estate planning and the preparation of wills and trusts, including advanced strategies to minimize estate taxes and transition family-owned businesses and legacy properties across generations.
Do You Need a Trust or Just a Will?
A will alone may be enough for a simple estate, but a trust can offer advantages that a will cannot. Trusts can help your family avoid the time and expense of Virginia probate court. They can also provide privacy, since a will becomes a public record while a trust generally does not. For families with minor children, blended family situations, property in multiple states, or a loved one with special needs, a trust often provides more flexibility and protection. Our team can review your situation and recommend the right approach.
How the Trust Planning Process Works
Working with Skeen Law Offices typically follows these steps:
- Schedule an initial consultation to discuss your assets, family situation, and goals.
- Review your options, including trust types and how they fit your overall estate planning strategy.
- Draft and review your trust documents with attorney guidance.
- Execute the trust according to Virginia legal requirements.
- Fund the trust by retitling assets so the document functions as intended.
Proper funding is a step many people skip, which can undermine even a well-drafted trust.
Guidance for Trustees in Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Serving as a trustee carries real legal responsibilities. Skeen Law Offices can guide trustees through their duties, including asset management, recordkeeping, distributions to beneficiaries, and tax filings. Whether you were named trustee of a family trust or are administering a trust after a loved one's passing, our team can help you meet your obligations and avoid personal liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does a Trusts Attorney Do?
A trusts attorney helps you create, fund, and administer legal trust documents that protect your assets and carry out your wishes. They can also advise trustees and beneficiaries on their rights and responsibilities under Virginia law.
How Is a Trust Different From a Will?
A trust can take effect during your lifetime and often allows your estate to bypass probate, while a will only takes effect at death and goes through court. Trusts also tend to offer more privacy and greater flexibility for complex family situations.
Does a Trust Help Me Avoid Probate in Virginia?
A properly funded revocable living trust typically allows your estate to bypass Virginia probate court. The key word is "funded," meaning assets must be retitled in the name of the trust for it to work as intended.
Who Needs a Special Needs Trust in Charlottesville?
Families with a loved one who receives Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or other government benefits may need a special needs trust. Assets left directly to that person could disqualify them from benefits, while a properly drafted trust can preserve both the inheritance and their eligibility.
How Do I Get Started With a Trusts Attorney Near Me?
Contact Skeen Law Offices at 434-293-9664 to schedule a consultation. You can also find us on Skeen Law Offices to read more about our firm.
