Your Living Trust is Not a Doodle Pad

At Morris Hall, PLLC we have the privilege of reviewing living trusts on a regular basis. Most of the time, the trusts often look like they haven’t been touched since execution. These trusts are easy to review because the trust provisions and the client’s wishes are easy to find and interpret.
However, there are times when we encounter trusts that contain handwritten changes, or we find handwritten questions on the trust document. Please don’t write on your original trust document. Anytime handwritten language appears on an executed trust, the integrity of the document is compromised, which could lead to a challenge in court.
We recognize that changing circumstances may require changes to a living trust. Changes may include acquiring or liquidating assets, having more children, getting a divorce, or changes in the law. If you have a living trust, and changes occur in your life, we recommend that you note your questions and proposed changes on a separate document, and schedule an appointment with a qualified estate planning attorney. A qualified attorney will be able to answer your questions, and give direction on how to update your estate plan without compromising its integrity.
Contributed by Morris Hall PLLC Phoenix Estate Planning Attorney Darren L. Richardson.
Why Choose Morris Hall, PLLC:
You have a number of options when it comes to estate planning, so why pick Morris Hall? First off, estate planning and asset protection are a very complicated endeavor and you should only trust someone who focuses exclusively on those matters. Also, Morris Hall is a proud member of The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA) which provides us additional support, advanced training, tools and information that is not available to others – which means that we can better protect your assets and your loved ones. We are one of only three firms in Arizona that belong to the AAEPA and are the only firm in New Mexico that has been granted membership. If you have assets and loved ones that you want to protect, you are in good hands with Morris Hall. Contact us today at 888.222.1328 to schedule an appointment!
This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.