Revocable Living Trusts

Living Trust Attorney in Beaverton

Estate Planning Built Around Trusts, Not Tacked Onto Them

Sunstone Planning LLC helps individuals and families in Beaverton and throughout Washington County create revocable living trusts that reflect their goals and protect what they’ve built. Our firm concentrates on estate planning and business formation only, so a living trust isn’t a side offering here. It’s central to what we do. We’re licensed in both Oregon and Washington state, serving clients on both sides of the Columbia River.

Ready to protect your family and avoid probate? Schedule a free consultation with our Beaverton living trust attorneys today. Call us at (503) 300-2593 or request a virtual appointment online.

What a Revocable Living Trust Does for You

A revocable living trust is a legal document you create during your lifetime that holds titled assets and directs how those assets are managed and distributed. Unlike a will, assets held in a properly funded trust don’t pass through probate, which means your estate may be settled more quickly and privately than under a will alone. You retain full control during your lifetime and can amend or revoke the trust at any time as circumstances change.

The trust also names a successor trustee who steps in to manage your assets if you become incapacitated, which can help avoid a court-supervised conservatorship. At your death, the successor trustee distributes assets to your beneficiaries according to the trust’s terms, typically without probate court involvement. One important distinction: because you retain control, a revocable living trust doesn’t shield assets from your creditors during your lifetime. That kind of protection requires an irrevocable structure.

Why Beaverton Families Choose Sunstone Planning LLC

Attorney Kaitlyn Metscher brings over 10 years of estate planning experience to every client engagement, having worked first as a legal assistant, then as an estate planning paralegal, and now as an estate planning attorney. That ground-level background means she understands how trusts are drafted, funded, and executed in practice, not just in theory. Sunstone Planning LLC is also a member of WealthCounsel, a national organization supporting estate planning attorneys with rigorous drafting tools and continuing education.

Our firm concentrates exclusively on estate planning and business formation. We’re not distracted by unrelated legal matters. We offer flat-fee pricing whenever possible so you know the cost before work begins, and free consultations are available both in-office and virtually.

Start Your Trust Plan Today

Whether you’re creating a trust for the first time or want to know whether an existing plan still reflects your goals, we offer free consultations and free estate plan reviews. Call (503) 300-2593 or reach out online to schedule time with Sunstone Planning LLC.

Who Should Consider a Revocable Living Trust?

Not every estate plan requires a trust, but certain circumstances make one a natural fit. Consider whether any of the following apply to your situation:

Oregon homeowners: Real property that isn’t held in a trust will pass through probate, which can involve additional time and expense.
Parents of minor children: A trust lets you control when and how assets are distributed rather than leaving those decisions to a court-appointed conservator.
Multi-state property owners: Owning real estate in more than one state can trigger ancillary probate in each state where the property is located. A revocable living trust can help avoid that.
Blended families: A trust provides clear, private direction over asset distribution, which may help reduce disputes among beneficiaries from different relationships.
Privacy-minded individuals: Oregon probate proceedings are public record. A trust can help keep your estate settlement private.
Anyone planning for incapacity: Naming a successor trustee in your trust can help avoid court involvement if you become unable to manage your own affairs.

Trust Funding: The Step That Makes It Work

A revocable living trust that isn’t funded doesn’t avoid probate, regardless of how well the document is drafted. Funding means retitling your assets into the trust: transferring real property by deed, updating account ownership, and coordinating beneficiary designations. This step is often overlooked, and it’s where many do-it-yourself trusts fall short.

We guide clients through the funding process and coordinate with financial and other professional advisors as part of implementation. A pour-over will is also commonly paired with a revocable living trust to capture any assets inadvertently left outside the trust at death, directing them into the trust through a brief probate process.

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Our Clients Experince With Us

At Sunstone Planning LLC, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

“Thank you so much, Sunstone Planning!”
“I would recommend them without hesitation to anyone looking for advice with their estate planning.”

- Todd H.
“Kaitlyn is an absolute pro!”
“You need someone knowledgeable, capable, and thorough who remains calm and keeps it simple.”

- Brady W.
“The attorney really impressed me.”
“It was just such a night-and-day difference.”

- Peter B.
“Kaitlyn is skilled, professional, and easy to work with.”
“I am happy working with her and confident referring her. Highly recommend.”

- Eleni G.
“We can recommend Sunstone with no reservations.”
“Sunstone was very professional and an immense help in setting up our trust.”

- Diane S.
“I would confidently recommend reaching out to Sunstone Planning.”
“I’m consistently impressed by the professionalism and expertise she brings to her work.”

- Brian W.
“A trustworthy choice who brings total peace of mind.”
“Excellent, timely communication, thorough explanations of the process, would recommend to anyone.”

- Grace M.
“Hands down the best money I have spent.”
“Kaitlyn really took the time to understand my objectives, a bit complicated, and she put my future plans in place.”

- Amy S.

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Our Process for Creating Your Revocable Living Trust

We built our process around clarity and confidence at every stage. Here’s how it works from first conversation to signed documents and a funded trust:

Free Initial Consultation: We start by understanding your family, goals, and assets. There’s no cost and no obligation.
Strategy Meeting: We walk you through trust options, build the plan architecture together, and review a draft summary before any documents are prepared. You’ll know what your plan includes and why.
Document Signing Meeting: Before execution, we review all documents with you to confirm everything reflects your intentions.
Implementation: We provide trust funding guidance, coordinate with your financial and professional advisors, and can facilitate a family meeting to help your loved ones understand the plan.

Flat-fee pricing is quoted after the initial consultation, so you know the full cost before committing to anything.

Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts: Key Differences

Understanding the difference between these two structures helps clarify which fits your situation. A revocable living trust preserves your control throughout your lifetime. You can add or remove assets, change beneficiaries, or dissolve the trust entirely. That flexibility comes with a trade-off: because you retain control, the assets remain part of your taxable estate and are reachable by your creditors.

An irrevocable trust generally can’t be modified or revoked once established without meeting specific legal requirements. In exchange for giving up that control, irrevocable structures may offer asset protection or estate tax planning benefits that a revocable trust cannot. Most people beginning estate planning start with a revocable living trust for its flexibility. Irrevocable structures tend to come into the picture when specific asset protection or tax planning goals are present.

Oregon Probate & Why Trust Planning Makes Sense in Beaverton

A will-only estate plan means that after your death, anyone can search the Washington County Circuit Court probate docket and see your asset details. A revocable living trust, when properly funded, can help keep that process private and out of the court system.

Oregon law governs the validity and administration of revocable living trusts created by Oregon residents. For clients with assets or residence on the Washington side of the Columbia River, Washington state law applies separately. Because we’re licensed in both states, we can handle planning for clients whose lives and assets cross that line.

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Serving Beaverton & Washington County

Sunstone Planning LLC is based in Beaverton and serves clients throughout Washington County and the broader Portland metro area. Washington County is one of Oregon’s most populous counties, with significant residential growth in Beaverton, Hillsboro, and surrounding communities. We also serve clients across the Columbia River into Washington state, handling trust planning under the applicable law for each state.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Beaverton Living Trust Attorney

If you’re ready to create a revocable living trust or want to find out whether your existing plan still fits your life, free consultations are available in-office and virtually. Call (503) 300-2593 or reach out online to get started with Sunstone Planning LLC.

Keeping Your Trust Current After It’s Created

Creating a trust is the first step. Keeping it current is what makes it work over time. A revocable living trust should be reviewed after major life events: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a named trustee or beneficiary, a significant change in assets, or a move to a different state. If assets are acquired after your trust is created and never transferred into it, those assets may still be subject to probate regardless of what the trust document says.

Successor trustee designations and beneficiary lists should also be reviewed periodically to confirm they reflect your current intentions. We offer ongoing support to help clients update their trust as circumstances change, and free estate plan reviews for anyone who wants to assess whether an existing plan still fits their goals.

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Our FAQ

Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 503-300-2593 today!

Where do you serve business owners?

We serve business owners in Beaverton, Washington County, throughout Oregon, and in Vancouver, Washington.
Can you help with existing businesses?

Yes. We assist clients who are restructuring, formalizing, or reviewing existing business entities.
Can business formation affect my personal estate plan?

Yes. Business ownership can significantly impact estate planning, succession, and asset protection. We help align both areas.

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