TRUST-BASED ESTATE PLANNING
Trust-Based Estate Planning in Oregon & Washington
Build a plan around the people, property, and choices that matter to you.
A revocable living trust can help organize how trust-owned property is managed during your lifetime and distributed after your death. But a trust is one part of a larger estate plan, and it applies only to property properly transferred to or coordinated with it. Fortis Planning provides estate-planning education and coordination so you can understand your options and prepare informed questions for a licensed attorney.
Based in Oregon • Serving families in many states across the U.S.
TRUST-BASED ESTATE PLANNING
Trust-Based Estate Planning in Oregon & Washington
Build a plan around the people, property, and choices that matter to you.
A revocable living trust can help organize how trust-owned property is managed during your lifetime and distributed after your death. But a trust is one part of a larger estate plan, and it applies only to property properly transferred to or coordinated with it. Fortis Planning provides estate-planning education and coordination so you can understand your options and prepare informed questions for a licensed attorney.
Based in Oregon • Serving families in many states across the U.S.
ESTATE PLANNING EDUCATION & COORDINATION
Trust-Based Estate Planning for Families Who Want Clarity and Control
We come to you when signatures matter.
Fortis Planning helps families understand and coordinate trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and legacy planning: with a clear, educational process designed to protect the people and property that matter most.
Based in Oregon • Serving families in many states across the U.S.
TRUST BASICS
What Is a Revocable Living Trust?
A revocable living trust is a written arrangement that names a trustee to manage property transferred into the trust and provides instructions for that property. In many plans, the person who creates the trust serves as the initial trustee and may retain the ability to amend or revoke it, subject to the trust terms and applicable law. A successor trustee may take over management when the trust terms say they should.
A trust governs only the assets it owns or that are properly coordinated with it. Other property may pass through beneficiary designations, joint ownership, a will, or other legal rules. A living trust does not automatically control every account or asset you own.
HOW A TRUST WORKS
How Does a Living Trust Work?
While you are living
If you create a revocable trust and serve as trustee, you generally continue managing the property held in the trust under its terms. The trust document explains how the property is to be managed and who may act as successor trustee.
If you need help managing trust property
If the trust's terms and stated conditions are met, a successor trustee may manage trust-owned property. A trust does not replace every incapacity-planning document. A durable financial power of attorney and an advance directive address different types of decisions and may be part of a complete plan.
After your death
The successor trustee follows the trust's instructions for assets held in the trust. Those assets may be administered outside probate when properly transferred and when the trust is valid and effective. Property left outside the trust may still need probate or another transfer process.
WHAT TRUST PLANNING CAN ADDRESS
What Can Trust-Based Planning Help You Organize?
A trust-based plan may help you organize:
Continuity for management of trust-owned property if you cannot manage it yourself.
Instructions for how and when trust assets may be distributed to beneficiaries.
A coordinated plan for trust assets, property passing by beneficiary designation, and property covered by a will.
Planning for minor children or beneficiaries who may need help managing an inheritance, when appropriate under the trust terms.
A private method of administering property held in trust, while recognizing that disputes, court filings, and other circumstances can create public records.
A trust is not automatically an asset-protection strategy or a way to reduce taxes. A revocable living trust generally does not shield the trust creator's assets from creditors or eliminate estate or income taxes.
TRUST FUNDING
Trust Funding: Connecting the Plan to Your Assets
Creating a trust document is only one step. Trust funding means completing the title, ownership, or beneficiary steps needed for selected assets to be held by or coordinated with the trust. The right steps depend on the asset and the family's circumstances.
Funding may involve reviewing real-estate deeds, certain bank or investment accounts, business interests, and beneficiary designations. Not every asset should be retitled into a trust. Retirement accounts and annuities can have tax and distribution consequences, so review them with the appropriate attorney, tax professional, or financial professional before making changes.
A funding review can identify assets that appear to be outside the plan and clarify which professional should advise on the next step. Fortis Planning can provide education and coordination; legal and tax decisions should be made with qualified professionals.
PLAN DOCUMENTS
What Documents May Be Part of a Trust-Based Estate Plan?
Depending on your circumstances, a coordinated plan may include:
A revocable living trust for property transferred into the trust.
A pour-over will to address certain property not transferred to the trust during life and, where appropriate, to nominate a guardian for minor children.
A durable financial power of attorney for financial matters described in that document.
An advance directive for health-care wishes and a health-care representative.
HIPAA disclosure statement
Updated ownership records and beneficiary designations for assets that pass outside the trust.
*The right documents and asset-transfer steps vary.
CHOOSING YOUR APPROACH
Is a Trust-Based Estate Plan Right for Everyone?
No single plan fits every family. A revocable living trust may be useful when its management and distribution features match your goals, but it can involve additional legal work, asset transfers, recordkeeping, and ongoing administration. A will-based plan or another transfer arrangement may fit some situations better. Consider your property, family needs, costs, and willingness to maintain the plan with a licensed attorney.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE FORTIS PLANNING
Relationship That Continues Beyond the Documents
Our dedicated staff helps you throughout the entire phase of your estate plan. Not just creating the documents.
Education Before Decisions
We explain trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and other planning tools in clear language, helping you understand how they may support the goals you have for your family.
Plan Around Your Priorities
Your family, property, and wishes are unique. We help you identify what matters most, compare planning approaches, and coordinate next steps around the future you envision.
Help With the Details
From coordinating with licensed legal professionals to organizing trust funding, we help keep the process moving and important details in view along the way.
Support That Continues
Planning continues after documents are signed. We remain available for educational questions, annual reviews, and updates when your family, assets, or goals change.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Trust-Based Estate Planning FAQs
Can a living trust help avoid probate?
Assets properly transferred to a valid living trust may generally be administered outside probate. Assets left outside the trust may still require probate or another transfer process. Funding, ownership, and the facts of the estate matter.
Does a revocable living trust protect assets from creditors or reduce taxes?
A revocable living trust does not automatically protect assets from creditors or reduce taxes. It is primarily a way to manage and distribute property transferred to it. Get legal, tax, and financial advice for asset-protection or tax-planning questions.
Do I still need a will if I have a living trust?
Many trust-based plans include a pour-over will to address certain property that was not transferred to the trust during life. A will may also nominate a guardian for minor children. Ask an attorney which documents are appropriate for your plan.
Should I transfer all my assets into my trust?
No. Some assets may be inappropriate to transfer directly, and changing title or beneficiaries can have legal, tax, or financial consequences. Review each asset with the appropriate licensed professional before making changes.
Can a living trust help if I become incapacitated?
A successor trustee may manage property held in the trust when the trust's terms and conditions allow. A trust does not make health-care decisions and may not cover financial property outside the trust. A power of attorney and advance directive address separate planning needs.
Is a living trust better than a will?
Not automatically. A trust and a will work differently, and the right fit depends on your property, family, goals, costs, and the ongoing administration you are prepared to manage. An attorney can compare the options for your circumstances.
Getting Started
YOUR NEXT STEP
You don’t need to have everything figured out before we talk. Share what you want to protect, the questions you have about your planning options, or the decisions you’re trying to make. We’ll listen and help you identify a clear next step.
Estate planning education and coordination to help families protect what matters most.
By Appointment Only
CONTACT
Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST
Monday through Saturday
By appointment only
After-hours by request
Oregon Address
7307 SW Beveland St Ste 200 Tigard, OR 97223
Fortis Planning, LLC provides estate planning education and coordination. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal, tax, accounting, or investment advice. Legal documents are prepared and reviewed by licensed attorneys in the applicable state. Consult qualified professionals about your individual circumstances.
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