Comprehensive Guide to Pour-Over Wills in East Brainerd
A pour-over will is an important estate planning document for people who own a trust or plan to create one. This page explains how a pour-over will functions in Tennessee and how it supports a broader trust-based plan. At Jay Johnson Law Firm in East Brainerd, our approach focuses on clear documentation and practical steps to make sure assets are ultimately transferred into a trust according to a client’s wishes. We emphasize careful coordination between the will and trust to reduce uncertainty, simplify probate where possible, and keep the client’s intentions straightforward and legally effective.
Many individuals use a pour-over will alongside a living trust to make sure assets not already placed in the trust at the time of death are directed into it. This document acts as a safety net that captures remaining assets and directs them to the trust for distribution. Because estate plans change over time with new assets, life events, and shifting priorities, a pour-over will helps maintain consistency with the trust’s provisions. In East Brainerd and across Hamilton County, having a coordinated plan helps families avoid confusion and provides a clear mechanism for asset transfer after a death.
Why a Pour-Over Will Matters for Your Estate Plan
A pour-over will plays a supporting role in trust-based estate plans by directing any assets not transferred to the trust during a person’s life into the trust after death. This reduces the chance that property will pass under intestacy laws or in ways that contradict the overall plan. For families in East Brainerd, having a pour-over will can streamline administration and help ensure that the trust’s distribution instructions are followed. While a pour-over will does not avoid probate entirely, it simplifies estate settlement by consolidating remaining assets into the trust structure for consistent handling and distribution.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Pour-Over Wills
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients in East Brainerd and Hamilton County with focused attention to estate planning and probate matters, including pour-over wills. We prioritize clear communication to help clients understand how a pour-over will works with a trust and what steps are needed to keep documents current. Our team guides clients through document drafting, asset review, and coordination with trustees to ensure intentions are documented and practical outcomes are considered. We assist with common updates, trustee designations, and handling documentation so that the estate plan remains aligned with a client’s wishes over time.
Understanding Pour-Over Wills and How They Work
A pour-over will is a legal instrument that directs any assets remaining in a decedent’s name at death to an existing trust. The will functions alongside a trust by providing a catch-all transfer mechanism for property not previously retitled or funded into the trust. This is often part of a trust-first plan where most assets are placed into a revocable living trust, yet the will protects against accidental omissions. In Tennessee, the pour-over will still must be probated for assets to be transferred into the trust, so it’s important to understand both the will’s role and the trust’s administration requirements.
Using a pour-over will requires careful attention to how assets are owned and titled during life. Regular review of bank accounts, real estate deeds, retirement accounts, and beneficiary designations helps reduce the amount of property that must be poured into the trust through probate. Working with counsel to prepare a pour-over will includes identifying intended trust provisions, naming a personal representative to handle probate, and ensuring the trust is ready to receive the assets. Proper coordination minimizes delays and helps the trust’s distribution instructions be carried out consistent with the client’s wishes.
Definition and Core Function of a Pour-Over Will
A pour-over will is a testamentary document that directs the transfer of any assets not already owned by a trust into that trust after death. It acts as a safety mechanism to capture accidental or overlooked property rather than leaving it to pass under default inheritance laws. The pour-over will names a personal representative to administer probate for those assets and directs that the proceeds be funneled into the trust for distribution in accordance with the trust’s terms. This arrangement supports a trust-centered plan while addressing the practical reality that not every asset is retitled during life.
Key Elements and How a Pour-Over Will Operates
Key elements of a pour-over will include naming a personal representative, stating the intent to pour remaining assets into a named trust, and providing clear direction about the trust that should receive those assets. The process typically involves initiating probate for the assets in the will, using the probate proceeding to transfer title or funds to the trust, and then administering the assets under the trust’s terms. The timeline and documentation required depend on the type of assets and whether those assets have designated beneficiaries or joint ownership structures that might bypass probate.
Key Terms and Common Vocabulary for Pour-Over Wills
Understanding a few common terms can make decisions about pour-over wills clearer. Terms like trust, pour-over will, probate, personal representative, grantor, and beneficiary frequently appear when planning around trusts and wills. Knowing what each term means and how it affects the administration of an estate helps clients make informed choices about document language, funding the trust, and the selection of fiduciaries. Clear definitions prevent confusion during administration and support a plan that functions as intended when assets are transferred into the trust after a death.
Pour-Over Will
A pour-over will is a testamentary document that directs any assets remaining in the decedent’s estate at death to be transferred into a specified trust. It serves as a safety net for assets that were not retitled to the trust during life. The pour-over will typically names a personal representative to handle probate and directs that the estate’s assets be distributed into the trust so the trust’s terms control final distribution. This instrument complements a trust-based plan without replacing the trust’s role in handling assets already funded into it.
Personal Representative
The personal representative is the individual appointed to manage the probate of a will in Tennessee. Responsibilities include collecting estate assets subject to probate, paying valid debts and taxes, and transferring assets into the trust per the pour-over instruction. The personal representative ensures the probate administration follows state law and the decedent’s directions. Choosing a reliable and organized representative is important because their actions will have a direct effect on how smoothly assets move into the trust and how timely distributions are made to the trust beneficiaries.
Revocable Living Trust
A revocable living trust is a private legal arrangement in which the grantor places assets into a trust they control during life and specifies how those assets are managed and distributed after death. The trust avoids public probate for assets that are properly funded into it, and the grantor retains flexibility to change or revoke the trust while alive. A pour-over will complements this structure by directing any nonfunded assets remaining at death to the revocable trust, allowing the trust’s distribution terms to govern those assets after probate.
Funding the Trust
Funding the trust means retitling assets so the trust is the legal owner or beneficiary. This can include transferring real estate deeds, changing account ownership, or naming the trust as the beneficiary for certain assets. Proper funding reduces the amount of property that must pass through probate and be handled by a pour-over will. Periodic review is important because newly acquired assets or unchanged beneficiary designations can leave property outside the trust, which would then be subject to the pour-over will’s probate process.
Comparing Pour-Over Wills and Other Estate Planning Options
When deciding whether to use a pour-over will or take other estate planning routes, it helps to compare the practical outcomes. A pour-over will works best as part of a trust-centered plan and provides a backup for untransferred assets, while a will-only plan relies on probate to distribute assets under state law. Joint ownership and beneficiary designations can avoid probate but may not reflect broader distribution goals. Evaluating the interplay between wills, trusts, beneficiary forms, and joint ownership helps determine the optimal approach for minimizing probate, respecting privacy, and fulfilling the client’s distribution objectives.
When a Limited Will-Only Approach May Be Appropriate:
Smaller Estates with Clear Beneficiary Designations
A will-only approach may be sufficient for individuals with small estates and straightforward beneficiary arrangements. If bank accounts, retirement plans, and life insurance policies already name beneficiaries who reflect the desired distribution and there is little non-designated property, the need for a trust and pour-over will may be limited. In such situations, maintaining up-to-date beneficiary forms and a simple will can accomplish planning goals without the complexity of trust administration. Still, periodic reviews are necessary to confirm designations continue to meet changing family circumstances and asset holdings.
Limited Complexity and Minimal Administrative Needs
When an individual’s assets and family arrangements are uncomplicated and privacy or probate avoidance is not a high priority, a straightforward will can suffice. If there are few assets requiring probate and those assets can be distributed easily under the will, a trust may add administrative steps that are unnecessary for the estate size. In these cases, clients often prefer a simpler plan focused on clear beneficiary designations and a durable power of attorney and healthcare directives rather than the ongoing maintenance associated with a trust-centered strategy.
Why a Trust and Pour-Over Will Often Make Sense:
Privacy and Avoiding Probate for Funded Assets
A comprehensive trust-based plan helps protect privacy for assets that are properly funded into the trust and minimizes public probate proceedings for those assets. For families with real estate, investment accounts, or complex distributions, a trust combined with a pour-over will helps ensure that intended distributions are managed privately under the trust’s terms rather than being subject to public probate. This approach can simplify administration for funded assets and support smoother transitions for trustees and beneficiaries following a death.
Coordination for Complex Estate Goals and Succession
When estate plans involve multiple beneficiaries, blended-family considerations, legacy gifts, or ongoing trust management, a coordinated trust and pour-over will provide a single framework for implementing long-term intentions. A comprehensive plan addresses succession for business interests, guardianship considerations for minor children, and structured distributions, which a simple will may not address effectively. Careful coordination helps ensure the trust’s management, successor trustee selection, and distribution contingencies align with the client’s goals and provide practical steps for trustees to follow.
Benefits of Combining a Trust with a Pour-Over Will
Combining a revocable living trust with a pour-over will offers several benefits, including centralized distribution instructions, potential probate avoidance for funded assets, and continuity of management if the grantor becomes incapacitated. The trust documents can describe specific distribution timing, conditions, and trustee authority while the pour-over will captures any remaining assets. This structure provides clarity for successors and can reduce the administrative burden on loved ones by consolidating estate handling under a single plan that accounts for both funded and unfunded property.
A comprehensive approach also allows for easier updates to distribution provisions by modifying the trust rather than repeatedly changing multiple beneficiary designations or wills. It creates a private mechanism for distributing property and can provide continuity for managing trust assets without court oversight where assets are properly funded. For many families in East Brainerd, this combination supports clear intentions, simplifies long-term administration, and reduces the risk of unintended outcomes caused by overlooked accounts or title issues that a pour-over will can help correct after death.
Privacy and Streamlined Administration for Funded Assets
One major benefit of funding a trust and using a pour-over will is enhanced privacy because assets held in the trust can be managed and distributed without public probate filings. This reduces public exposure of asset details and heirs’ inheritances for funded property, and it offers a smoother handoff to a successor trustee. While the pour-over will does involve probate for unfunded assets, the overall estate administration can be more orderly and efficient when most assets have been retitled. That organization often results in less stress for family members handling post-death administration.
Flexibility to Capture Missed Assets and Maintain Intent
A pour-over will preserves the grantor’s intent by providing a backstop for assets inadvertently left outside the trust. Life brings changes and new assets that may not be retitled promptly, and the pour-over mechanism ensures such property ultimately follows the trust’s distribution instructions. This flexibility protects the overall plan from common oversights and provides a practical path for the personal representative to gather and transfer these assets into the trust, maintaining consistency between the will and the trust’s terms and reducing the likelihood of conflicting outcomes.
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Practical Tips for Pour-Over Wills
Review and Fund the Trust Regularly
Regularly review your assets to confirm which accounts and properties have been properly retitled to the trust. Over time new accounts, gifts, or purchases can leave assets outside the trust, triggering the pour-over will and probate. Make a habit of checking beneficiary designations, deeds, and account ownership after major life events such as marriage, divorce, or inheritances. Periodic maintenance reduces the volume of assets that must be transferred through probate and helps the trust serve as the primary vehicle for distribution according to your wishes.
Keep Beneficiary Designations Consistent
Select a Reliable Personal Representative and Trustee
Choose individuals who are organized, trustworthy, and prepared to act as personal representative for probate and successor trustee for the trust. Those roles require managing documents, communicating with financial institutions, and following the decedent’s written directions. Having aligned and capable fiduciaries reduces delays and misunderstandings during administration. Discuss your plan with the people you name so they understand where documents are located and what actions may be needed, which helps ensure a smoother transition when the time comes.
When to Consider a Pour-Over Will with a Trust
Consider a pour-over will if you plan to use a revocable living trust as the primary vehicle for your estate plan but want a safety net for assets not retitled during life. This approach helps capture forgotten accounts, recently acquired property, or items that were never transferred to the trust. It also supports more complex distribution goals that a simple will may not achieve. For many families, the pour-over will reduces the risk that assets will pass in unintended ways and helps the trust handle final distributions consistently with the grantor’s wishes.
Another reason to use a pour-over will is to maintain a single coherent distribution plan while still allowing flexibility during life. The trust can be adjusted to reflect changing priorities, and the pour-over will ensures that newly acquired or overlooked assets are eventually governed by that trust. This is particularly valuable for households with multiple properties, varied investment accounts, or changing beneficiary situations. Regular reviews combined with a pour-over will can decrease probate complexity and ensure the client’s documented intentions guide final asset distribution.
Common Situations Where a Pour-Over Will Is Useful
Common circumstances that make a pour-over will useful include acquiring new assets without updating trust funding, holding assets that cannot easily be retitled during life, having complex family or distribution plans, and wanting to centralize final distribution instructions through a trust. Situations such as recent relocation, changing marital status, or receiving unexpected inheritances can result in assets outside the trust. In these scenarios, a pour-over will ensures those assets are eventually combined with the trust for administration under its terms, supporting consistent handling after death.
New or Unexpected Assets
When an individual acquires new assets or receives unexpected property, those items can remain out of the trust if not retitled promptly. A pour-over will ensures such holdings are transferred into the trust after death, capturing these assets to be handled according to the trust’s instructions. This safety net reduces the chance that new acquisitions will be distributed differently from the rest of the estate and helps preserve the grantor’s overall plan when quick retitling is not possible before death.
Oversights in Titling or Beneficiary Designations
Oversights in account titling or beneficiary designations are common and can leave assets outside the trust. The pour-over will provides a fail-safe to collect those assets during probate and transfer them into the trust for distribution. Regular reviews of deeds, account titles, and beneficiary forms help minimize oversights, but the pour-over will remains a practical tool to address any property that was unexpectedly omitted from the trust at the time of death.
Complex Distribution Goals
When distribution goals involve staged gifts, special needs considerations, or specific protections for beneficiaries, a trust offers the necessary structure while a pour-over will captures assets not otherwise funded. Trusts can provide tailored distribution timing and conditions, and the pour-over will ensures all assets are subject to those provisions. This arrangement is helpful when a grantor wants certain protections or oversight for beneficiaries rather than outright distributions, allowing for a more controlled and thoughtful approach to inheritance.
Local Pour-Over Will Services in East Brainerd
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves East Brainerd and surrounding areas in Hamilton County with tailored planning for trusts, pour-over wills, and probate administration. We work with clients to design plans that reflect their personal goals and family needs, coordinate trust funding, and prepare pour-over wills that act as a reliable backstop. Our team assists with document drafting, fiduciary selection, and guidance on ensuring asset ownership aligns with the estate plan. For local residents, we focus on clear communication and practical steps to keep the plan current and ready when needed.
Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Your Pour-Over Will
Clients in East Brainerd select Jay Johnson Law Firm for straightforward, practical estate planning that coordinates wills and trusts. We emphasize clear, written documents and client communication so that each element of the plan supports the intended outcomes. From drafting the pour-over will to advising on trust funding and beneficiary forms, our approach is designed to reduce uncertainty and give families a reliable process for moving assets into a trust when necessary. We also provide guidance on choosing a personal representative and successor trustee who can administer the plan responsibly.
Our firm helps clients review asset lists, identify items that should be retitled, and prepare the paperwork needed to support smooth administration. We assist with preparing a pour-over will that names a personal representative and ties directly to the trust document so that assets are transferred consistently. We prioritize responsiveness and clarity, making sure clients understand the probate implications and what steps to take now to minimize administrative burdens later for loved ones.
Beyond initial document preparation, Jay Johnson Law Firm encourages periodic plan reviews after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, births, or significant asset transfers. These reviews can prevent assets from becoming unintentionally excluded from the trust and maintain alignment with the client’s wishes. We support clients through updates and provide clear explanations of the legal process in Tennessee so that families feel confident their pour-over will and trust operate together as intended.
Ready to Discuss Your Pour-Over Will? Contact Our Office
How We Handle Pour-Over Wills and Related Probate Work
Our process begins with a careful review of your asset inventory and current documents to see what is already in the trust and what remains outside it. We then draft or update the pour-over will, coordinate the trust provisions, and advise on funding steps to reduce probate exposure. If probate is required, we assist the named personal representative in administering assets, transferring property to the trust, and completing estate settlement. Throughout, we keep clients informed of timelines, documentation needs, and practical steps to preserve their intentions.
Step One: Initial Review and Document Preparation
During the initial review, we gather information on assets, account titles, deeds, and existing beneficiary designations. This discovery process helps identify what assets are already trust-owned and what items remain to be addressed. We discuss the client’s goals for distributions, potential successors, and any specific provisions desired in the trust and pour-over will. The outcome is a clear plan for drafting documents and steps for trust funding that reduce the volume of assets subject to probate while ensuring the pour-over will accurately reflects the client’s intentions.
Evaluating Asset Ownership and Beneficiaries
We carefully review titles, account registrations, and beneficiary forms to determine funding gaps between the trust and current holdings. This evaluation identifies assets that should be retitled or updated and those likely to pass through probate under the pour-over will. Understanding the ownership landscape helps prioritize funding actions, reduce future probate, and minimize the work needed by the personal representative. This step forms the basis for targeted recommendations to align asset ownership with the trust-based plan.
Drafting the Pour-Over Will and Coordinating Trust Terms
Once funding gaps are identified, we draft a pour-over will that names a personal representative and references the trust to receive remaining assets. Simultaneously, we coordinate trust terms to ensure distributions, successor trustees, and management procedures fit the client’s goals. The documents are reviewed with the client in plain language so they understand how the will and trust interact. Finalizing these documents creates a cohesive plan that guides both probate of unfunded assets and private administration of trust-held property.
Step Two: Funding and Documentation Updates
This phase focuses on transferring ownership where appropriate and updating beneficiary designations to reduce reliance on probate. Actions may include retitling deeds, changing account registrations, and ensuring beneficiary forms reflect current wishes. We provide guidance about which transfers are most important and help prepare documents and letters of instruction for financial institutions. Taking these steps reduces the assets that must be poured into the trust through probate and clarifies the administration process for trustees and personal representatives.
Retitling Real Estate and Accounts
Retitling real estate deeds and financial accounts into the trust’s name is a practical way to minimize probate. We guide clients through deed preparation, bank procedures, and account changes while explaining legal and tax considerations that may apply. Proper retitling helps ensure assets pass according to the trust’s terms without the need for probate in most cases. We provide step-by-step assistance and documentation recommendations so clients can complete funding with confidence and reduce the need for later probate transfers.
Reviewing and Updating Beneficiary Forms
Because beneficiary designations often supersede wills, reviewing and updating these forms is essential to align them with the trust plan. We help identify accounts where naming the trust or consistent beneficiaries makes sense and advise on implications for retirement accounts and life insurance. Coordinating beneficiary designations with trust goals prevents conflicting outcomes and reduces unexpected distributions that would otherwise complicate probate or trust administration.
Step Three: Probate and Pour-Over Administration
If assets remain in the decedent’s name at death, probate for the pour-over will may be necessary to transfer those assets into the trust. We assist the personal representative with the probate filing, creditor notices, estate accounting, and transferring assets to the trust once probate is complete. Our role is to guide the process, prepare required documents, and communicate timelines so trustees and beneficiaries understand next steps. The goal is to complete the probate phase efficiently and deliver property into the trust for distribution as directed.
Probate Filings and Estate Administration
During probate, the personal representative submits the will to the court, inventories estate assets, pays valid debts and taxes, and prepares distributions. We support these tasks by preparing filings, advising on procedural requirements in Hamilton County, and helping respond to creditor claims or beneficiary inquiries. After probate administration, assets directed by the pour-over will are transferred into the trust so the trust can then manage and distribute them according to the grantor’s wishes.
Transferring Assets into the Trust and Closing the Estate
Once probate matters are resolved, we assist with the legal transfers of assets into the trust and the final accounting needed to close the estate. This includes retitling assets, preparing deeds or assignment documents, and documenting distributions under the trust. Completing these tasks promptly and accurately helps trustees begin administering the trust according to the specified terms and provides clarity for beneficiaries about the timing and nature of distributions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pour-Over Wills
What is a pour-over will and why do I need one with a trust?
A pour-over will is a testamentary document that directs any assets remaining in your name at death to be transferred into your named trust. It acts as a safety net to capture property that was not retitled or designated to the trust during your lifetime. The pour-over will names a personal representative who handles probate for those assets and then transfers them into the trust for distribution under the trust’s terms. This arrangement is useful because it aligns leftover assets with the trust’s distribution plan, ensuring consistency. While the pour-over will supports a trust-first strategy, proper funding of the trust during life remains important to minimize probate and simplify administration for beneficiaries.
Will a pour-over will avoid probate entirely?
No, a pour-over will does not avoid probate for assets that remain in the decedent’s name at death. Those assets must usually go through probate so they can be legally transferred into the trust after the court process is complete. The pour-over will enables the transfer, but it does not eliminate the need for probate when assets have not been funded into the trust. However, properly funding the trust during life can significantly reduce which assets require probate. By retitling accounts and updating beneficiary designations where appropriate, many assets can pass outside probate directly under the trust or beneficiary arrangements.
How does a pour-over will interact with beneficiary designations?
Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and payable-on-death accounts typically supersede wills, so they must be coordinated with your trust plan. If beneficiary forms name individuals or entities inconsistent with the trust, those assets may pass outside the trust and not be subject to the pour-over will. Regularly reviewing and updating beneficiary forms helps ensure they align with your trust’s distribution goals. We recommend reviewing all beneficiary designations as part of a comprehensive estate plan. Where appropriate, naming a trust as beneficiary or otherwise aligning forms with the trust can prevent unintended outcomes and reduce the number of assets that must be captured through probate.
Who should I name as personal representative and successor trustee?
Choose a personal representative and successor trustee who are trustworthy, organized, and able to manage administrative responsibilities. The personal representative handles probate tasks and transfers assets into the trust, while the successor trustee manages trust administration after assets are in the trust. Consider the person’s availability, temperament for handling family dynamics, and willingness to fulfill fiduciary responsibilities. It can be helpful to name alternates in case your first choice cannot serve. Clear communication with those you name and providing instructions and document locations makes administration more efficient and reduces uncertainty for your loved ones.
How often should I review my trust and pour-over will?
You should review your trust and pour-over will regularly and whenever you experience major life changes such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, significant asset purchases, or relocations. These events can alter how assets should be titled or who should be named as beneficiaries and fiduciaries. An annual or biennial check-in helps ensure beneficiary designations, account titles, and trust provisions remain aligned with your intentions. Periodic reviews also allow you to address tax law changes and to confirm that the trust is properly funded. Keeping records current reduces the likelihood of assets being unintentionally omitted from the trust and simplifies administration for your personal representative and trustee.
Can a pour-over will handle real estate and retirement accounts?
A pour-over will can apply to many asset types, including real estate, bank accounts, personal property, and certain financial accounts that lack beneficiary designations. However, some assets such as retirement accounts and life insurance may have beneficiary designations that avoid probate and therefore are not administered through a pour-over will unless the beneficiary designation names the trust. Real estate not retitled to the trust usually requires probate for transfer under the pour-over instruction. Because different asset types have distinct transfer rules, it is important to review asset ownership and beneficiary forms to determine which items will be subject to the pour-over will and which will pass outside probate under other designations.
What steps reduce the amount of assets that must be poured into the trust?
To reduce the assets that must be poured into the trust, retitle property into the trust where appropriate, update beneficiary designations to align with the trust, and review account registrations for joint ownership issues. Regularly checking deeds, bank accounts, and retirement accounts helps identify items that should be transferred or updated so they do not remain in your name at death. Additionally, consolidating accounts when practical and keeping clear records of trust documents and asset lists will minimize gaps. Working through these steps proactively reduces the burden of probate and ensures a higher proportion of assets pass directly under the trust’s terms.
How long does probate take when a pour-over will is used?
The length of probate when a pour-over will is involved depends on the size and complexity of the estate, creditor timelines, and whether any disputes arise. Simple estates may complete probate within a matter of months, while more complex matters involving contested claims, multiple properties, or out-of-state assets can take longer. The probate process must follow Tennessee rules and allow for notice periods and claims resolution. Working with skilled counsel helps streamline filings, meet deadlines, and navigate procedural requirements. While probate cannot always be avoided for unfunded assets, clear planning and organization can reduce delays and help move assets into the trust more quickly once probate matters are resolved.
What costs are associated with probate and pour-over administration?
Costs associated with probate and pour-over administration can include court filing fees, personal representative fees, appraisal and accounting costs, and attorney fees where legal assistance is needed. The total expense varies based on estate size, complexity, and whether contested matters arise. Probate costs tend to be lower when assets are already funded into the trust because fewer items require court administration. Investing in trust funding and document coordination during life can reduce probate-related costs. Clear documentation and proactive steps to align ownership and beneficiary designations can lower administrative burden and help preserve more estate value for beneficiaries.
How do I get started preparing a pour-over will in East Brainerd?
To get started preparing a pour-over will in East Brainerd, gather a list of your assets, account titles, deeds, and beneficiary forms. Consider who you wish to name as personal representative and successor trustee, and think about your distribution goals and timing preferences. Contact Jay Johnson Law Firm to schedule an initial review so we can assess which assets are already in the trust and identify funding steps needed to reduce probate exposure. During the initial meeting we will explain the pour-over will’s role, draft the necessary documents, and outline practical steps for funding the trust and maintaining beneficiary consistency. This process helps create a cohesive plan tailored to your circumstances.