A Practical Guide to Revocable Living Trusts in Bristol
Revocable living trusts are a commonly used estate planning tool that let individuals maintain control of assets during their lifetime while planning for an orderly transfer at death. For Bristol residents, a revocable living trust can reduce the stress on surviving family members by avoiding probate for trust assets, providing privacy for the distribution of property, and creating a framework for incapacity planning. This page explains how a revocable living trust works, who may benefit, typical components of trust documents, and how local courts and Tennessee law interact with trust administration so you can make informed choices for your estate plan.
Choosing whether a revocable living trust is appropriate depends on personal circumstances including the size and type of assets, family dynamics, and goals for privacy and continuity. A living trust can simplify asset transfers, allow for ongoing management if you become incapacitated, and sometimes reduce delays after death. This guide outlines practical considerations specific to Bristol and Tennessee, how a trust coordinates with wills, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations, and common next steps for putting an effective plan in place that reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones’ needs in mind.
Why a Revocable Living Trust Matters for Bristol Residents
A revocable living trust can provide several meaningful benefits for individuals and families in Bristol. It allows you to keep control of assets while alive, arrange for smooth management if you become incapacitated, and designate how property should be handled at death without the public process of probate. Trusts also make it easier to manage property that spans multiple types of ownership and can reduce delays that heirs might otherwise face. While not a solution for every situation, a living trust can offer peace of mind, clearer administration, and a private process for transferring assets to the people you choose.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach in Tennessee
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients across Tennessee, including Bristol and surrounding communities, with a focus on estate planning and probate matters. The firm prioritizes clear communication, practical planning, and documents that reflect each client’s goals. We help people prepare revocable living trusts, coordinate trust documents with wills and powers of attorney, and plan for incapacity. Our approach emphasizes understanding your family situation and financial picture so that the trust you create works smoothly for you and those you name to manage and inherit your assets.
Understanding Revocable Living Trusts: Key Concepts
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where the grantor places assets into a trust during life, retaining the ability to change or revoke the trust at any time. The trust names a trustee to manage those assets for the grantor’s benefit while alive and for beneficiaries after death. Because it is revocable, the grantor retains flexibility over assets and can modify terms as circumstances change. Understanding how funding, beneficiary designations, trustee selection, and coordination with other estate planning documents work together is essential to creating an effective, practical trust arrangement tailored to your goals.
Trust administration involves preplanning steps like retitling property and updating account ownership or beneficiary designations so that assets intended for the trust are properly assigned. A trust may simplify the transfer of real estate, investment accounts, and other titled assets, but it does not replace other planning documents such as powers of attorney or healthcare directives. Considering tax implications, creditor concerns, and family dynamics when designing a trust helps reduce surprises later. Thoughtful coordination of all documents ensures the living trust functions as intended and minimizes administrative burdens for loved ones.
What a Revocable Living Trust Is and How It Works
At its core, a revocable living trust is a private written agreement where the grantor transfers ownership of certain assets into a trust managed by a trustee for named beneficiaries. While the grantor lives, they often act as trustee and retain control; if they become unable to manage affairs, a successor trustee steps in without court intervention. On death, the trust’s terms guide distribution of assets to beneficiaries, often without probate. The trust’s revocable nature means the grantor can amend or revoke it as circumstances change, making it a flexible component of an estate plan for many families.
Key Elements and Steps in Creating a Living Trust
Important elements of a revocable living trust include the trust document itself, naming the grantor and successor trustee, clear beneficiary designations, and instructions for incapacity and distribution. The process typically begins with gathering information about assets and goals, preparing the trust document tailored to those goals, and then funding the trust by retitling assets or assigning accounts to it. Periodic review is also important as life events such as marriage, divorce, birth, death, or new assets can require changes to the trust or related documents to ensure they still reflect your intentions.
Key Terms and Glossary for Revocable Living Trusts
Below are commonly used terms you will encounter when planning a revocable living trust, explained in plain language so you can make confident decisions. Knowing these terms helps you understand the trust document, choose suitable trustees and beneficiaries, and coordinate related paperwork such as wills and powers of attorney. These definitions focus on practical meaning and how each element functions in Tennessee to help you better navigate conversations and planning steps with your legal advisor and family members.
Grantor (or Settlor)
The grantor, sometimes called the settlor, is the person who creates the trust and transfers assets into it. The grantor sets the trust’s terms, names trustees and beneficiaries, and retains the ability to modify or revoke the trust while alive. Choosing a grantor’s preferences carefully ensures the trust aligns with personal goals for asset management, incapacity planning, and distribution after death. Because the grantor often remains in control of trust assets during life, the document must clearly reflect how changes are handled and who acts if the grantor cannot manage affairs.
Successor Trustee
A successor trustee is the individual or entity named to manage the trust if the grantor can no longer do so or upon the grantor’s death. The successor trustee’s duties include gathering trust assets, paying debts and taxes, managing property, and distributing assets according to the trust terms. Choosing a reliable successor trustee is important because that person or entity will carry out your instructions and interact with beneficiaries, financial institutions, and courts if issues arise. Many people name a trusted family member, friend, or professional trustee to fulfill this role.
Funding the Trust
Funding a trust means transferring ownership or updating beneficiary designations so assets are held by the trust rather than in the grantor’s individual name. Common funding steps include retitling real estate into the trust name, changing account ownership for bank and brokerage accounts, and assigning interests in business entities. Proper funding is essential for the trust to function as intended because assets left outside the trust may still require probate. The funding process should be planned carefully to account for deeds, account requirements, and tax or lender considerations.
Pour-Over Will
A pour-over will is a type of will that directs any assets not already in the trust at death to be transferred into the trust for distribution according to its terms. It acts as a safety net to catch assets unintentionally left outside the trust, ensuring they are ultimately distributed as intended. While a pour-over will still goes through probate for the assets it covers, it consolidates distribution under the trust’s directions and complements the living trust by providing clarity and backup protection for asset transfers.
Comparing Estate Planning Options: Trusts, Wills, and Alternatives
When deciding among estate planning tools, it helps to compare revocable living trusts, wills, and other options in terms of privacy, probate avoidance, costs, and control. Wills govern asset distribution but usually require probate, a public and sometimes lengthy process. Revocable trusts can offer private transfer and continuity in management, though creating and funding a trust may involve more up-front work. Other tools, like beneficiary designations and joint ownership, can address specific assets. Weighing these features with your priorities and family circumstances helps identify the right combination of documents for your plan.
When a Simpler Plan May Be Enough:
Small Estates and Clear Beneficiaries
For individuals with modest estates and straightforward family situations, a simple will combined with up-to-date beneficiary designations and powers of attorney may adequately address end-of-life and incapacity planning. If most assets already pass by beneficiary designation, are jointly owned, or fall below state thresholds that avoid probate, the administrative burden of a living trust may not be justified. In these cases, prioritizing clear beneficiary forms, durable powers for financial and medical decisions, and a concise will to name guardians or handle residual assets can achieve the desired outcomes with less initial complexity.
Lower Cost and Less Ongoing Maintenance
A limited approach can reduce up-front costs and ongoing administrative tasks when your asset profile and family dynamics are simple. If there are no out-of-state properties, few titled accounts, and predictable beneficiaries, maintaining a straightforward will and updating account beneficiary forms may be cost-effective. Less maintenance means fewer retitling tasks and fewer document reviews, although it still requires periodic updates for life changes. Choosing this path should be balanced with understanding how probate and incapacity procedures will affect your family in the absence of a trust.
When a Comprehensive Trust Plan Becomes Valuable:
Multiple or Out-of-State Properties
When property holdings include real estate in multiple states or a mix of account types and business interests, a comprehensive trust-based plan can simplify administration and reduce the need for ancillary probate proceedings. Properly drafted trust provisions and careful funding can streamline management and make transfers more efficient for the people you name to follow through on your intentions. A broader planning approach also helps anticipate tax considerations, creditor claims, and management continuity to reduce surprises for family members when responsibilities shift.
Complex Family or Incapacity Concerns
Families with blended relationships, potential beneficiary disputes, special needs family members, or significant concerns about incapacity often benefit from a more comprehensive trust plan. A thoughtful trust can provide clear instructions, protections, and management structures to address unique family dynamics and ensure ongoing care and financial oversight. Including detailed successor trustee provisions, distribution schedules, and incapacity planning tools reduces uncertainty and helps preserve family harmony while ensuring your wishes are fulfilled in a manner tailored to those specific needs.
Benefits of a Comprehensive Living Trust Approach
A comprehensive living trust strategy can combine several advantages: avoidance of probate for trust assets, private administration of distributions, continuity in asset management during incapacity, and the ability to create tailored distribution plans that reflect your family’s needs. Organizing assets into a trust and coordinating related documents makes it easier for successor trustees to act and for beneficiaries to receive their inheritance with fewer administrative delays. This holistic approach can be particularly helpful for families seeking predictable, orderly transitions and privacy in handling personal and financial affairs.
Additionally, a thorough trust plan can reduce the risk of misinterpretation, minimize disputes, and establish clear rules for managing complex assets or unusual distribution goals. It provides a framework to handle incapacity without court intervention, ensuring someone you trust can manage finances and property immediately when needed. Regular review and updates keep the plan aligned with life changes, so a comprehensive approach is dynamic and resilient, offering long-term benefits for both the grantor and the people named to manage and inherit assets.
Privacy and Probate Avoidance
One of the main advantages of a living trust is privacy: trust administration generally occurs outside of public probate proceedings, keeping details of asset distribution and beneficiary shares out of the public record. This can help reduce family tension and maintain discretion for financial matters. Avoiding probate also often expedites access to trust assets for beneficiaries and reduces the court oversight and timelines associated with probate administration. For those who value privacy and a streamlined transfer process, a living trust can be a practical path.
Continuity of Management During Incapacity
A living trust provides mechanisms for continuity if the grantor becomes incapacitated by naming a successor trustee who can manage assets without a court guardianship. This continuity helps ensure bills are paid, investments are overseen, and property is maintained with minimal interruption. The trust can include specific instructions for the trustee about managing finances, making distributions for care, and coordinating with medical decision-makers. Having these arrangements in place reduces stress for family members and offers a clear plan for ongoing financial management during difficult times.
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Practical Tips for Using a Revocable Living Trust
Fund the trust carefully
A living trust only functions as intended when assets are properly transferred into it, so making a checklist of accounts and titled property to retitle is an important first step. Review deeds, bank and investment accounts, retirement plan beneficiary forms, and business interests to determine what needs to be transferred or assigned. Taking this funding step soon after signing the trust prevents gaps that otherwise require probate for assets left outside the trust. Periodic reviews help catch new assets and keep the trust current as life changes occur.
Choose successor trustees with care
Coordinate all estate documents
A living trust works best when coordinated with a pour-over will, durable powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Ensure beneficiary designations on retirement plans and life insurance align with your trust plan, and use a pour-over will to capture any assets not transferred into the trust during life. Regularly review all documents after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, or significant changes in assets. Consistency across documents reduces the risk of unintended results and helps your plan operate smoothly when needed.
When to Consider a Revocable Living Trust in Bristol
Consider a revocable living trust if you prefer privacy in asset distribution, hold real estate or accounts that would otherwise require probate, or want to ensure seamless management if you become incapacitated. Individuals with blended families, special needs dependents, or multiple properties may find a trust especially useful for tailoring distributions and providing long-term management. A trust is also worth considering when you seek to minimize the administrative burdens on loved ones and provide a clear roadmap for how assets should be handled and distributed over time.
Beyond distribution concerns, a trust can streamline affairs when someone must manage finances or property without court appointments, enabling a trusted successor trustee to act promptly. For those who value privacy and want to limit public court involvement, a trust can reduce exposure of family matters and asset details. Reviewing your personal situation with a legal advisor can help determine whether the benefits of a revocable living trust justify the steps needed to create and maintain it, based on your goals and resources.
Common Situations Where a Living Trust Is Helpful
Living trusts are particularly helpful in situations involving multiple properties, family complexity, desire for privacy, or the need to plan for incapacity. People with out-of-state real estate, significant investment portfolios, or family arrangements that require staged or controlled distributions often use living trusts to set clear instructions. Trusts can also provide continuity of management for elderly or ill grantors by naming a successor trustee who can handle finances and property immediately, avoiding the delay and expense of court guardianship or conservatorship processes.
Out-of-State Real Estate or Multiple Properties
When real estate is located outside Tennessee, a living trust can simplify administration by centralizing ownership under one trust, potentially reducing the need for separate probate actions in other states. Retitling properties into the trust name and ensuring consistent documentation helps successors manage and transfer multi-state real estate more efficiently. This approach reduces additional legal steps for family members and can lower the administrative complexity that arises with properties held across jurisdictions.
Blended Families or Complex Beneficiary Needs
In blended families, carefully drafted trust provisions help balance the needs of a spouse, children from different relationships, and other beneficiaries while reducing potential conflicts. Trusts can specify how and when distributions occur, protect assets for future generations, and set conditions for distributions that reflect individual circumstances. Thoughtful drafting promotes clarity and can prevent misunderstandings, ensuring your intentions are documented and easier for trustees and beneficiaries to follow after you are no longer able to manage those decisions.
Anticipated Incapacity or Health Concerns
Planning for potential incapacity is a key reason many people choose living trusts, because they allow a successor trustee to manage finances and trust property without involving the court. That immediate continuity avoids delays in paying bills or maintaining property and provides clear authority for a trusted person to act. When paired with durable powers of attorney and healthcare directives, a living trust forms a coordinated plan that addresses both financial and medical decision-making, easing the burden on family members during difficult times.
Serving Bristol and Surrounding Communities
Jay Johnson Law Firm assists clients in Bristol and nearby areas of Tennessee with estate planning and probate matters. We focus on practical estate documents like revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and related tools that reflect each client’s goals. Whether you are beginning an estate plan, updating existing documents after life changes, or addressing trust administration, the firm works to provide clear, actionable guidance tailored to Tennessee law and local processes so you and your family are prepared for the future.
Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Revocable Living Trusts
Jay Johnson Law Firm offers focused knowledge of Tennessee estate planning and the practical steps needed to create and fund a revocable living trust. The firm emphasizes clarity in document drafting, careful coordination among trust documents, and straightforward advice about funding and administration. Clients receive individualized plans that fit their family circumstances, property holdings, and planning goals, with attention to making successor trustee responsibilities manageable and reducing complications for loved ones at a stressful time.
When working on a living trust, the firm guides clients through retitling assets, updating beneficiary designations, and preparing companion documents like pour-over wills and powers of attorney. This comprehensive view helps ensure the trust functions correctly and provides smooth transitions if incapacity or death occur. Jay Johnson Law Firm also advises clients on common pitfalls and practical steps to maintain the plan over time so the trust remains aligned with changing family and financial circumstances.
Clients in Bristol can expect clear communication, attention to local Tennessee requirements, and practical planning aimed at reducing uncertainty for family members. The firm discusses options openly, explains how each choice affects probate, privacy, and administration, and helps clients implement a living trust in a way that matches their priorities. Whether you are crafting a simple trust or a more comprehensive plan, the focus is on reliability and preparing documents that work as intended when they are needed most.
Discuss Your Revocable Living Trust Options Today
How We Handle Revocable Living Trusts for Clients
Our process begins with a clear intake to identify your assets, family structure, and goals so we can tailor a trust and supporting documents to fit your needs. We prepare trust documents, advise on funding steps, and coordinate related paperwork such as powers of attorney and pour-over wills. After signing, we provide guidance on retitling assets and updating beneficiary forms, and we recommend periodic reviews to keep the plan current. The goal is to create a functional, maintainable trust that reduces burdens for family members and reflects your intentions.
Step 1: Initial Planning and Information Gathering
The first step is an intake meeting where we gather details about your assets, family members, and planning goals. This includes identifying real estate, financial accounts, insurance policies, business interests, and any special family considerations that affect distribution or management. Clear documentation of these items allows us to design trust provisions that address practical realities. This planning stage sets the foundation for drafting a trust that reflects your intentions and anticipates likely administration needs for successor trustees and beneficiaries.
Identify Assets and Goals
During the initial meeting, we create an inventory of assets and discuss how you want those assets managed and distributed. This conversation covers items such as real property, investment accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and business interests. We also talk about your priorities for privacy, incapacity planning, and family considerations. By understanding both the tangible assets and your goals, we can recommend whether a living trust is the best vehicle and how it should be structured to meet your needs.
Discuss Trustee and Beneficiary Choices
We discuss who will serve as trustee during your lifetime and which successor trustees you prefer if you become unable to manage affairs. We also review beneficiary designations and distribution instructions to reflect any specific timing, conditions, or protections you want in place. Clear naming and discussion of these roles reduces uncertainty later and helps ensure the people you name understand their responsibilities and the expectations you have for managing or distributing assets.
Step 2: Drafting the Trust and Supporting Documents
After gathering information, we draft the trust document and any companion documents such as a pour-over will, durable power of attorney for finances, and healthcare directive. The draft reflects your decisions about trustees, beneficiaries, distribution timing, and incapacity provisions. We review the documents with you, explain key provisions in plain language, and make adjustments where needed so the final documents align with your intentions and Tennessee law. Clear, well-drafted documents reduce confusion and help ensure smooth administration.
Prepare the Trust Document
The trust document sets out the rules for managing and distributing trust assets, names trustees and beneficiaries, and includes provisions for incapacity and successor management. We draft language tailored to your specific goals, whether that involves staged distributions, protections for beneficiaries, or instructions for managing family business interests. Our focus is on creating a clear, durable document that a successor trustee can follow when the time comes to manage or distribute trust assets.
Create Companion Documents
Alongside the trust, we prepare a pour-over will to capture any assets not transferred during life, durable powers of attorney to address financial decision-making, and healthcare directives for medical decisions. These companion documents ensure that both financial and medical matters are addressed in coordination with the trust, providing a comprehensive planning framework. Having consistent documents helps avoid gaps and ensures your wishes are respected across different types of decisions and scenarios.
Step 3: Funding the Trust and Finalizing the Plan
Once documents are signed, the essential final step is funding the trust by retitling assets, updating account ownership, and confirming beneficiary designations where appropriate. We provide a funding checklist and assist with deed preparation, account transfer forms, and coordination with financial institutions. Completing these tasks ensures the trust will operate as intended and prevents assets from being unintentionally left out. Regular follow-up and periodic reviews help keep the plan effective as life and asset holdings change.
Retitle Real Estate and Accounts
Funding typically includes preparing and recording deeds to transfer real estate into the trust, changing titles on bank and brokerage accounts, and ensuring account beneficiaries align with the trust plan. Some accounts, such as retirement plans, have specific rules for beneficiary designations, so we advise on whether to name the trust or individuals directly. Carefully tracking these changes ensures the trust holds the assets intended and avoids leaving items outside the trust that might require probate.
Provide Ongoing Review and Support
After the trust is funded, periodic reviews are recommended to account for life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant asset changes. We offer guidance on when updates are appropriate and help implement necessary modifications. Ongoing support also includes advising successor trustees on administration duties and records management. Keeping the plan up to date maintains its effectiveness and ensures your wishes continue to be reflected accurately in the trust documents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revocable Living Trusts
What is the difference between a revocable living trust and a will?
A revocable living trust and a will both direct how assets are distributed, but they operate differently. A will becomes effective only at death and typically must go through probate court to transfer assets, which is a public process. A living trust, when properly funded, transfers assets held in the trust without probate, providing privacy and potentially faster access for beneficiaries. Additionally, a living trust can provide management instructions if you become incapacitated, which a will does not address.Both tools play complementary roles. Many people use a will alongside a living trust to capture any assets not transferred into the trust during life. The choice between them depends on your goals for privacy, continuity, and the types of assets you own, so discussing your situation helps determine the right combination.
Will a living trust reduce estate taxes?
A revocable living trust on its own generally does not reduce federal estate taxes because assets in a revocable trust are still treated as part of your taxable estate while you are alive. Trusts designed specifically for tax reduction, such as irrevocable trusts, operate differently and may have different tax consequences. Estate tax planning often requires additional strategies beyond a simple revocable living trust.Even though a standard revocable living trust may not change tax liability, it still offers other benefits like probate avoidance and management during incapacity. If tax reduction is a priority, discussing additional planning options is advisable so you can consider whether other trust structures or strategies are appropriate for your situation.
How do I fund a living trust?
Funding a living trust means transferring ownership of applicable assets into the trust’s name. For real estate, that usually requires preparing and recording a deed that transfers title to the trust. Bank and brokerage accounts typically need new account registrations or transfer forms. Life insurance and retirement accounts often use beneficiary designations rather than ownership transfers, and each type of asset requires specific steps to align with the trust.Proper funding is essential because assets left outside the trust may still be subject to probate. A checklist and careful follow-through after signing the trust document will help ensure the trust holds the intended assets. It is common to receive assistance with deeds and transfer paperwork to complete this step accurately.
Can I change or revoke a revocable living trust?
Yes, a revocable living trust can be changed or revoked by the grantor during their lifetime as long as they have legal capacity. That flexibility allows you to update beneficiaries, change trustees, or modify distribution provisions when life circumstances change. It is important to follow the amendment or revocation procedures outlined in the trust document so changes are effective and legally recognized.Because changes are straightforward while you are able to act, many people revise their trust after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, or significant changes in assets. Regular review ensures the trust continues to reflect current wishes and family circumstances.
Who should I name as successor trustee?
Choosing a successor trustee involves assessing who can manage financial affairs responsibly and communicate effectively with beneficiaries. Common choices include a trusted family member or friend, a corporate trustee, or a combination of individuals and professionals. Considerations include willingness to serve, organizational skills, availability, and comfort with handling financial matters and legal obligations.It can be helpful to name successor trustees in order and to discuss the role with them in advance so they understand the responsibilities. Some people also name successor co-trustees to provide checks and balance or appoint a professional trustee to handle administrative duties while a family member offers personal judgment on distributions.
Do living trusts avoid probate completely in Tennessee?
A properly funded revocable living trust can avoid probate for the assets it holds, but it does not automatically avoid probate for assets left outside the trust. Assets that remain in your individual name at death may still be subject to probate. Additionally, certain types of assets and accounts have specific transfer rules that affect whether probate is required.To maximize the benefits of a living trust, it is important to follow through with funding steps, review beneficiary designations, and coordinate other estate documents. Regular reviews help ensure assets intended to be in the trust are actually titled or designated accordingly.
How does a pour-over will work with a living trust?
A pour-over will directs any assets not already in the trust at death to be transferred into the trust for distribution according to the trust’s terms. It serves as a safety net to catch assets that were unintentionally left outside the trust. While those assets will still go through probate under the pour-over will, they are ultimately distributed under the trust’s instructions.Using a pour-over will in combination with a living trust helps ensure a more complete estate plan by minimizing the risk that assets will be distributed contrary to your intentions. It reinforces the trust as the primary vehicle for administering your estate.
What happens if a trustee mismanages trust assets?
If a trustee mismanages trust assets, beneficiaries have remedies under Tennessee law, including requiring accounting, seeking removal of the trustee, or pursuing damages for breach of fiduciary duty. Trustees have legal obligations to act prudently, avoid conflicts of interest, and follow trust terms. Documenting concerns and seeking timely legal guidance can help beneficiaries protect trust assets and enforce the trust’s provisions.Choosing trustworthy, capable trustees and including clear trustee powers and oversight provisions in the trust document can reduce the likelihood of mismanagement. Periodic accountings and transparent communication by trustees with beneficiaries can also help prevent disputes.
How often should I review my living trust?
It is a good practice to review your living trust every few years and after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, significant changes in assets, or changes in family dynamics. Regular reviews ensure that beneficiary designations are up to date and that the trust remains aligned with your current wishes and financial circumstances. Periodic reviews also help identify assets that should be added to the trust and confirm successor trustee designations.Keeping documents current reduces the chance of unintended outcomes and helps successor trustees administer the trust as you intended. If state law changes or tax rules evolve, a review can also identify needed adjustments to maintain the plan’s effectiveness.
Are trusts more expensive than wills?
Creating a living trust typically involves higher up-front costs than drafting a simple will because it requires drafting the trust document and completing funding steps such as retitling property. However, those initial costs may be offset by benefits like avoiding probate, reducing delays for beneficiaries, and providing continuity of management in the event of incapacity. For some families, the long-term administrative savings and privacy justify the initial investment.The decision depends on your priorities, complexity of your assets, and family needs. Comparing the costs and benefits in light of your circumstances helps determine whether a living trust is an appropriate choice for achieving your estate planning goals.