You've spent decades building what you have. Your home. Your savings. Your business. A portfolio. You want it to pass to the people you love — privately, quickly, without a judge involved.
Probate court makes that difficult. It's public, slow, and expensive. In New York, DC, and Maryland, probate can take 9–18 months and cost thousands in court fees, attorney fees, and executor commissions — all of it in the public record. A properly funded revocable living trust keeps your estate out of court entirely.
For larger estates, the problem is more acute: New York, DC, and Maryland each impose their own estate tax, with exemptions as low as $4.71M in DC. Without planning, a significant portion of what you've built can go to taxes rather than your family. We've helped many clients structure their estates to minimize that exposure — legally, and with confidence.
The Plan
Three Steps to an Estate That Stays Out of Court
1
Free Consultation — Map Your Assets, Tax Exposure, and Goals
We review your asset types, approximate values, beneficiaries, and state of residence. You leave with a clear recommendation: whether a revocable trust, irrevocable trust, or both makes sense — and what it will cost.
2
We Draft the Trust — Customized to Your Estate and State
Attorney Sunil Varghese drafts a trust document specific to your goals and your state's trust law — including successor trustee instructions, distribution terms, and any special provisions for minors, beneficiaries with special needs, or estate tax planning.
3
We Fund the Trust — Because an Unfunded Trust Doesn't Work
Retitling your assets into the trust is the step most estate plans skip — and the reason so many trusts fail to avoid probate. We coordinate the transfer of real estate, bank accounts, and investment accounts into the trust as part of every engagement.
Select Your State
Where We Draft Trusts
Trust law, estate tax exemptions, and probate rules differ significantly across NY, DC, and Maryland. Select your state for specific information.
Services
Types of Trusts We Draft
Most Common
Revocable Living Trust
Holds your assets during your lifetime; transfers to beneficiaries at death without probate. Fully controllable by you while you live. Essential if you own real property.
Estate Tax Planning
Credit Shelter Trust
Maximizes both spouses' exemptions for married couples near or above the state estate tax threshold. Critical for NY, DC, and MD estates near the exemption.
Estate Tax Planning
SLAT (Spousal Lifetime Access Trust)
Removes assets from your taxable estate while allowing your spouse to access trust income during their lifetime.
Blended Family Planning
QTIP Trust
Provides income to a surviving spouse while preserving principal for children from a prior relationship. Commonly used in second marriages.
Special Needs
Special Needs Trust
Holds assets for a beneficiary with a disability without disqualifying them from SSI or Medicaid. First-party and third-party trusts across all three jurisdictions.
Charitable Planning
Charitable Remainder Trust
Provides income during your lifetime with a charitable gift at death. Reduces estate tax and defers capital gains on appreciated assets transferred to the trust.
Your Attorney
Estate Planning Counsel
SV
Sunil Varghese
Georgetown Law · Partner, Estate Planning
New York Bar DC Bar Maryland Bar
Sunil advises clients on trust structures at every complexity level — from a first revocable trust for a young family to multi-trust estate tax plans for high-net-worth clients near the NY, DC, or MD exemption threshold.
View Full Profile → Common Questions About Trusts
What is a revocable living trust?
A revocable living trust holds your assets during your lifetime. You remain in full control as trustee. At death, your successor trustee distributes assets to your beneficiaries — without probate court. You can amend or revoke it at any time while you're alive and competent.
What's the difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust?
A revocable trust can be changed or cancelled at any time. Assets in it are still part of your taxable estate. An irrevocable trust generally cannot be changed after creation — but assets transferred to it are removed from your taxable estate and protected from future creditors. Irrevocable trusts are used for estate tax planning, Medicaid planning, and asset protection.
Does a trust avoid probate?
Yes — assets properly held in a revocable trust pass directly to beneficiaries at death, without probate. The key word is "properly funded." A trust that isn't funded doesn't avoid probate. We handle trust funding as part of every trust engagement.
Do I still need a will if I have a trust?
Yes. A pour-over will acts as a safety net for any assets that weren't transferred to the trust. You also need a will to name a guardian for minor children — trusts don't do that.
What is a special needs trust?
A special needs trust holds assets for a beneficiary with a disability without disqualifying them from government benefits (SSI, Medicaid). Distributions from a properly drafted special needs trust supplement — rather than replace — government benefits.
Ready to protect what you've built? Schedule a free consultation or select your state above for jurisdiction-specific information.
Estate Planning Notice: Estate planning laws vary by state and change frequently. This website provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. A consultation with an attorney licensed in your state is required for legal advice tailored to your situation. Wills and trusts must be executed in accordance with state law or they may be invalid. The information on this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.
