1. Who Is a Good Fit for a Revocable Living Trust?

• You want to avoid probate when you pass away and keep your affairs out of court.
• You want a clear plan for who manages things if you become incapacitated.
• You own at least $300,000 in home equity or $200,000 of cash and investments
• You want flexibility — the ability to change your plan at any time.

If most of these describe you, a revocable living trust is likely a strong fit.

2. What a Revocable Living Trust Does (In One Sentence)
A revocable living trust keeps your estate out of probate and ensures named fiduciaries can manage your affairs without court involvement.

3. Key Decisions You Make

• Who administers the trust: You choose who steps in after your incapacity or death.
• Who inherits from you: You decide how your estate is allocated after your death.
• How beneficiaries receive their inheritance: Outright, restricted, or protected.

4. The Main Benefits

• Avoids probate. Your family can settle your estate privately and efficiently.
• Built‑in incapacity plan. No court involvement if you become incapacitated.
• Fully flexible. You can amend or revoke the trust at any time.

5. Important Rules to Know

• You keep full control. As initial trustee, you retain full control of all trust assets.
• Assets must be titled correctly. To avoid probate, your home and other assets need to be placed in the trust.
• No asset protection. A revocable trust does not shield assets from creditors.

6. The Bottom Line
If you want a flexible plan that avoids probate and keeps your affairs private, a revocable living trust is the standard, reliable solution.

A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) can be a helpful way to protect your home and savings if long‑term care is ever needed. Here’s a simple overview to help you understand whether it may be right for you.

1. Who Is a Good Fit for a MAPT?

• You are at least age 55 and plan to stay in your home for many years. 
• You have a trustworthy adult child who can help manage the trust.
• You want to avoid spending down your assets if long‑term care is ever needed.
• Your home has at least about $250,000 in equity.
• You have savings and investments between roughly $150,000 and $1,200,000.

If most of these describe you, a MAPT may be a strong option.

2. What a MAPT Does (In One Sentence)
A MAPT protects your home and certain assets from Medicaid spend‑down while keeping them available for your family.

3. Key Decisions You Make

• Who will manage the trust: Usually an adult child or trusted family member.
  
• Income: You can choose whether you continue receiving income from trust assets.
  
• Access for children: You decide whether your children can receive anything during your lifetime.
  

4. The Main Benefits

• Your home is protected. After five years, Medicaid cannot take your home to repay care costs.
  
• Your assets stay in your family. The trust helps prevent forced spend‑down if long‑term care becomes necessary.
  

5. Important Rules to Know

• Five‑year rule: Transfers to the trust start a five‑year protection period.
  
• Trustee must follow the rules: Your trustee cannot give assets back to you directly.
  

6. The Bottom Line
If protecting your home and keeping assets in your family is important to you, this trust is one of the strongest tools available.

The Arizona legislature recently enacted a new rule for notarial acts.  Starting September 12, 2026, when a notary public notarizes a property transfer deed or a power of attorney, the notary public must obtain a thumbprint in the notary journal.  Because we regularly draft deeds and powers of attorney, we will begin taking thumbprints to satisfy this new rule.