Trusts Attorney –
Protecting Assets & Avoiding Probate
A Practical Way to Manage and Transfer Assets
Trusts that fit your family and your goals
Scott Brower Law Offices designs trusts that help you manage assets now and transfer them efficiently later. A revocable living trust can hold your home, investment accounts, or heirlooms, then pass them to beneficiaries without a court process. For many families, a living trust means privacy, fewer delays, and clear instructions as part of comprehensive
estate planning with our team.
Benefits of Setting Up a Trust
Why a living trust can make life easier for your heirs
Trusts are versatile tools that address common concerns about avoiding court, keeping distributions private, and maintaining control:
- Probate avoidance — properly funded trusts bypass court and reduce administrative time.
- Privacy — unlike probate files, trust terms and distributions remain confidential.
- Control — set age-based or milestone distributions instead of lump sums.
- Incapacity planning — your successor trustee can seamlessly manage finances if you can’t.
- Special situations — support a loved one with disabilities or encourage responsible use with spendthrift provisions.
- Tax-aware options — advanced trusts may complement
estate tax planning for larger estates.
Types of Trusts We Handle
From revocable living trusts to special-purpose solutions
- Revocable living trusts — most common for probate avoidance while you retain control.
- Irrevocable trusts — used for specific tax or asset-protection goals.
- Children’s and minors’ trusts — manage inheritances until an age you choose.
- Special needs trusts — provide for a disabled beneficiary without disrupting benefits.
- Charitable options — pair giving with family objectives using tailored vehicles.
Trusts in Illinois (and beyond)
Built for state law and your daily reality
Illinois trust law supports living trusts widely used by families. If you split time between Illinois and Idaho, we align documents and asset titling so your plan functions smoothly under the right state’s rules.
Trust vs. Will:
Most families use both for a complete plan
A living trust handles most assets efficiently, while a will still names guardians and serves as a safety net. We’ll help you decide whether to rely on a will alone or use a trust-centered plan based on your property, beneficiaries, and comfort with ongoing updates.
Our Trust Formation Process
Draft it right, then fund it fully
We start with your goals and assets, then draft a trust agreement that spells out trustee roles, beneficiaries, and distribution rules. Just as important, we guide funding—retitling real estate, updating bank and brokerage registrations, and assigning personal property—so your trust actually works. We also prepare a pour-over will to capture any assets left outside the trust and coordinate with financial institutions to complete changes.
FAQs about trusts
Straightforward Answers
Does a living trust save taxes?
A basic revocable trust doesn’t reduce taxes by itself; its core benefits are control and court avoidance. Tax-focused outcomes often use irrevocable structures.
Can I be my own trustee?
Yes. You’ll manage assets as usual and name a successor trustee to step in at incapacity or death.
What goes into the trust?
Typically real estate, non-retirement investment and bank accounts, and certain business interests. Retirement accounts usually use beneficiary designations instead.
Do I still need a will if I have a trust?
Yes. A pour-over will acts as a safety net for any assets not titled to your trust and can name guardians for minors.
Ready to Put a Trust to Work for You?
Build a plan that’s clear, private, and efficient
Scott Brower Law Offices will create and fund a trust that matches your goals—and make the steps simple from drafting through funding.
