So you think you might want a Trust – but do you really understand what a Trust does? A Trust is a powerful and flexible legal tool that can help you manage your Spokane Valley property and savings, maintain control over your assets, possibly avoid probate, and ensure your loved ones receive exactly what you intend. Whether your goal is to protect your home, plan for long-term care, reduce estate taxes, or provide for a family member with special needs, the right Trust can be tailored to meet your unique needs.
Our team at ELG Estate Planning can explain your options and set up a Trust that fits your situation. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with a skilled estate planning lawyer who serves Spokane Valley. We’re here to help you take the next step in planning for your future.
A Trust is a legal arrangement that allows a third party (the trustee) to hold and manage assets for the benefit of one or more individuals (the beneficiaries). The person who creates the Trust is known as the grantor or trustor. A Trust can take effect during your lifetime (a Living Trust) or be triggered after death (a Testamentary Trust, usually created through a Will).
There are two main types of Trusts: Revocable and Irrevocable. A Revocable Living Trust allows you to retain control of your assets during your lifetime. You can change the terms, revoke the Trust entirely, or continue acting as trustee until incapacity or death. This option offers flexibility and is commonly used to avoid probate and ensure privacy.
An Irrevocable Trust cannot be changed once created—at least not without court intervention or unanimous beneficiary agreement. These Trusts can offer benefits such as asset protection, estate tax planning, and long-term care protection. A lot of the time, Irrevocable Trusts are outlined in a Will, and created during probate. In most scenarios, you must give up control of your assets to enjoy the benefits this type of Trust, but in doing so, you can better protect them from certain taxes, creditors, or long-term care costs.
Each type has unique advantages and tradeoffs, which is why the choice of Trust should reflect your specific goals, not generic advice.
Clients often ask whether they need a Trust or a Will—but in many cases, the best estate plans include both. A Revocable Living Trust (RLT) is a flexible tool that allows your assets to be managed and distributed privately, outside of court, but it’s not the only or necessarily the best option for every family.
A Will is the foundation of most estate plans and can do much more than just name who gets what. Wills can nominate guardians for minor children, address complex family relationships, and even create Trusts after death (known as Testamentary Trusts) to manage ongoing distributions for children, beneficiaries with disabilities, or blended families. These Trusts are built into the Will and become active only when the estate is probated.
While some people want to avoid probate, we believe that probate in Washington is not something to fear. In fact, when handled properly, probate can offer clarity, court oversight, and legal finality. It’s a structured process that protects the interests of beneficiaries and creditors alike. Many families appreciate the transparency and accountability the court provides—especially in situations where conflict or ambiguity is possible.
By contrast, Revocable Living Trusts operate outside the court system and can allow for quicker administration—but they require careful setup and ongoing maintenance, including retitling of assets and coordination with beneficiary designations. If not properly funded, an RLT won’t avoid probate at all.
The choice between a Will-based plan and a Trust-based plan isn’t about right or wrong—it’s about what fits your needs.
Many people create Trusts because they want to do more than just pass on property. They want to protect loved ones, plan for special situations, or support a cause. Trusts offer different ways to meet those goals.
Some of the most common Trusts used in Spokane Valley estate plans include:
Each Trust has pros and cons—what works well for one family may not be suitable for another. And some of these can be combined! The strength of a Trust lies in its adaptability to your goals, not in the label attached to it.
It takes more than just filling out paperwork to create an effective Trust. You also need to make significant decisions about who should receive your assets and prepare documentation that complies with Washington law. A local Trust lawyer can guide you through this process by:
If you live in Spokane Valley and want help setting up a Trust, the team at ELG Estate Planning has the experience and focus you need. Our firm works exclusively in estate planning and elder law, so you can count on us to be current on the rules and strategies that matter most. We help clients across Washington protect their assets and plan for the future with clear guidance.
Our team understands how hard it can be to think about aging, medical needs, or what happens after death. Many of us have supported our own loved ones through those same challenges. We use that real-world experience to help you create a plan that works in both the short and long term.
Our attorneys can handle everything from helping you set up your first estate plan to creating Trusts and planning for long-term care. We don’t just draft documents—we build long-term relationships with the families we serve. When you choose ELG Estate Planning, you get a trusted partner who puts your goals first and stays with you through every stage of the planning process.
If you want to create a Trust or update your current estate plan, ELG Estate Planning can help. We serve individuals and families in Spokane Valley and understand the issues that matter most to this community. Reach out now to set up your initial consultation. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
