Revocable Trusts

A Revocable Living Trust is one of the most powerful tools in estate planning. It allows you to keep control of your assets during your lifetime while ensuring a seamless transfer to your loved ones after your death without the delays and expense of probate.

At Holt Legacy Law, we help Maryland families design trusts that simplify estate administration, protect privacy, and create long-term peace of mind.

What a Revocable Trust Does

A revocable trust (sometimes called a living trust) is a legal entity that holds title to your assets. You act as both the creator (grantor) and the manager (trustee) during your lifetime, maintaining full control over all assets placed inside it. You can change, amend, or revoke the trust at any time.

When you pass away, your chosen successor trustee takes over and distributes the assets to your beneficiaries according to the terms you’ve set without court supervision.

A well-drafted revocable trust allows you to:

• Avoid the Maryland probate process entirely

• Maintain privacy for your estate

• Ensure smooth management of your affairs if you become incapacitated

• Protect family members and guide inheritance over time

• Simplify the process for your loved ones during a difficult period

How Revocable Trusts Work with Wills

Even when you have a revocable trust, you still need a Last Will and Testament, specifically a pour-over will. This ensures that any assets not already titled in your trust are transferred into it when you pass away.

Here’s how they work together:

1. You create a revocable trust and title major assets—like real estate, bank accounts, and investments—under its name.

2. Any assets left out are “caught” by your pour-over will.

3. The will directs those remaining assets into your trust, so all property ultimately follows your trust’s terms.

This coordination keeps your plan unified, helps minimize probate, and ensures that no part of your estate is overlooked.
Learn more about how wills and pour-over wills work » (link this to your “Last Will and Testament” page)

Why Maryland Families Choose Revocable Trusts

Revocable trusts are an ideal choice for people who value flexibility, privacy, and simplicity. They are especially beneficial if you:

• Own property in more than one state

• Have a blended family or children from previous relationships

• Wish to leave assets in stages or with conditions

• Want to make things as easy as possible for your loved ones

Unlike a will, a trust does not go through the public probate process—so your family can settle your estate privately and efficiently.

Updating and Maintaining Your Trust

Because a revocable trust can be changed at any time, it should evolve as your life does. Major life events such as marriage, divorce, or acquiring new property may require updates. At Holt Legacy Law, we help you review and revise your trust so it always reflects your current wishes and assets.

Common Missteps We Help You Avoid

Many people create trusts but forget the critical step of funding them—meaning they never transfer assets into the trust. Others set up generic online documents that don’t meet Maryland legal requirements.

We ensure your trust is properly funded, customized to your family’s goals, and coordinated with your will, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents.

How Holt Legacy Law Can Help

At Holt Legacy Law, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all documents. We take the time to understand your family’s needs and design a trust that achieves your goals—whether that’s protecting a spouse, providing for children, or simplifying the process for your heirs.

We’ll:

• Explain each option clearly before you sign anything

• Customize your trust to work seamlessly with your will

• Ensure your trust is properly funded and maintained

• Help you sign and store your documents correctly

Our goal is simple: to make sure your plan works exactly as you intend when it matters most.

Start Planning Today

You don’t have to be wealthy to benefit from a revocable trust. You just need a desire to protect your loved ones and make things easier for them in the future.