Living Trust Attorney in Charlotte, NC | Flat-Fee Estate Planning

Living Trust Attorney in Charlotte, NC

Revocable living trusts that avoid probate, protect privacy, and pass assets to your family fast — flat-fee pricing

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What Is a Revocable Living Trust?

A revocable living trust is a legal entity that holds your assets and directs how they’re distributed when you pass away. Unlike a will, a trust avoids probate entirely — assets transfer directly to beneficiaries without court involvement.

You create the trust, fund it with your assets, and control everything during your lifetime. After you pass, your successor trustee distributes assets according to your instructions. Simple, private, and efficient.

Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts

Most Charlotte families benefit from a revocable living trust. Here’s why:

Revocable Living Trust

You can change, modify, or revoke it anytime during your lifetime. You maintain full control of assets. When you die, it becomes irrevocable and distributes per your terms.

Best for: Most families who want flexibility and control.

Irrevocable Trust

Once created, you cannot change or revoke it. Assets transfer to the trust permanently. Offers advanced tax and asset protection benefits.

Best for: Complex estates, significant tax planning, asset protection strategies.

For most Charlotte families, a revocable living trust is the right choice. It’s flexible during your lifetime and avoids probate after death. Learn why avoiding probate is so important and how a trust accomplishes this.

Key Benefits of a Living Trust

Living Trust Benefits

Avoid Probate

Assets pass directly to beneficiaries — no court process, no delays, no probate costs.

Save on Costs

No probate fees, executor fees, or lengthy attorney involvement. Administration is streamlined.

Stay Private

Your trust is completely confidential. Assets, debts, and beneficiaries don’t become public record.

Full Control

You decide exactly when and how beneficiaries receive distributions. No court supervision.

Fast Distribution

Beneficiaries receive their inheritance in 30-90 days — not 6-12 months like probate.

Handle Incapacity

If you become unable to manage finances, your successor trustee takes over seamlessly.

How to Fund Your Living Trust

Creating a trust is just the first step. The real power comes from funding — transferring your assets into the trust so probate is truly avoided. We guide you through this critical process and ensure your assets are properly retitled.

The Funding Process

  1. Real Estate

    Deed your home, rental properties, or land into the trust name. Takes a simple deed transfer.

  2. Bank Accounts

    Transfer checking, savings, and money market accounts to the trust. Notify your bank of the transfer.

  3. Investments & Stocks

    Retitle brokerage accounts, mutual funds, and stocks in the trust name.

  4. Vehicles & Personal Property

    Transfer car titles, boats, and other titled property into the trust.

  5. Life Insurance & Retirement Accounts

    Name the trust as beneficiary (or contingent beneficiary) on life insurance and retirement accounts.

Important: We guide you through the funding process so your assets are properly retitled. Without funding, your trust won’t avoid probate.

Living Trust vs. Will: The Key Difference

Both are estate planning tools, but they work very differently:

Will

Probate: Requires full probate process (6-12 months)
Cost: $5,000-$15,000+ in probate costs
Privacy: Public court record — assets disclosed
Control: Court oversees distribution
Timeline: Heirs wait 6-12 months minimum
Incapacity: Doesn’t address what happens if you’re incapacitated

Living Trust

Probate: Completely avoids probate
Cost: One flat fee upfront, no probate costs later
Privacy: Completely private — confidential
Control: You decide distributions, no court involvement
Timeline: Heirs receive inheritance in 30-90 days
Incapacity: Successor trustee manages if you can’t

Bottom line: A living trust is more expensive to set up but saves your family thousands in probate costs and months of waiting.

Why Charlotte Families Choose Living Trusts

If you have significant assets, real estate, or want your family to avoid court involvement, a living trust is the smart choice.

  • Homeowners. If you own a house in Mecklenburg County, a trust keeps it out of probate and private.
  • Multiple properties. Own rental property or vacation homes? A trust simplifies management and distribution.
  • Significant assets. If your estate is over $100K, probate costs add up fast. A trust saves money.
  • Family harmony. Private distribution prevents disputes. No public court process means less family drama.
  • Incapacity planning. If you become unable to handle finances, your trustee takes over seamlessly — no guardianship needed. Pair this with your power of attorney documents for complete protection.
  • Privacy-conscious families. Your will is public. Your trust is confidential.

What We Include in Living Trust Services

We handle everything — from drafting to funding guidance.

Custom Trust Document

Tailored to your family situation, not a template.

Pour-Over Will

Catches any assets not in the trust and directs them there.

Funding Guidance

We guide you on transferring assets into the trust properly.

Successor Trustee Provisions

Clear instructions for who manages the trust after you’re gone.

Incapacity Planning

Addresses what happens if you become unable to manage finances.

Mobile Notary Signing

We bring notary to you — no office visits required.

All included in one flat fee. No surprises. No hidden costs.

Flat-Fee Living Trust Pricing

We create living trusts at a transparent flat fee. No hourly billing. No meter running. You know exactly what you’ll pay.

Why flat-fee for trusts? Because we believe you shouldn’t be charged by the hour for legal work. Whether it takes us 5 hours or 20 hours to draft your trust, you pay one fair price. This aligns our incentive with yours — create a great plan at a fair cost.

Your flat fee includes:

  • Custom revocable living trust
  • Pour-over will
  • Unlimited revisions before signing
  • Design meeting (60 minutes, virtual)
  • Document review and questions
  • Mobile notary signing at your home
  • Funding guidance and documentation
  • Certified copies

Ready to get started? Schedule your free consultation and we’ll discuss your situation and provide a flat-fee quote. Learn more about our stress-free signing process and complete virtual workflow.

How We Create Your Living Trust

1

Consultation

Discuss your assets, family, and goals.

2

Drafting

We create your custom trust and pour-over will.

3

Review

You review online and request any changes.

4

Signing

Mobile notary signs documents at your home.

5

Funding

We guide you on transferring assets into the trust.

6

Done

Your trust is funded and your family is protected.

Timeline: 2-4 weeks from start to fully funded trust. 100% virtual process. Learn more about our 5-step virtual estate planning process and why it’s the best approach for busy families.