Advanced Estate & Trust Planning
Strategic Trust Planning for Families and High-Value Estates
Ten thousand a month for long term care, a child who needs lifelong support, or company shares about to skyrocket in value. These are the moments when basic estate documents are not enough, and strategic trust planning can make the difference between stress and security.
At Costaras Law, we build advanced trust plans that solve specific problems most families never face until it is urgent. If you already have a will, a revocable living trust, and powers of attorney, you are ahead of the curve. When your situation involves government benefit eligibility, estate tax exposure, or rapidly appreciating assets, our advanced strategies help you preserve wealth, protect loved ones, and stay compliant with IRS rules.
What Is Advanced Trust Planning?
Sophisticated strategies for families with significant or complex assets
Basic estate planning controls what happens if you are incapacitated or pass away. Advanced trust planning is purpose built. We use specialized trusts to achieve targeted outcomes like maintaining long term care benefits, providing for a family member with special needs, moving growth outside your taxable estate, or turning life insurance into a structured family bank.
When Do You Need More Than a Revocable Trust?
Consider advanced planning when you face one or more of the following:
- Long term care costs and strict asset limits for government benefits
- A loved one with special needs who should not receive an outright inheritance
- A potential estate tax problem, especially for married couples with growing estates
- Rapidly appreciating or pre IPO assets that could balloon your taxable estate
- Large life insurance death benefits that need control and protection
- Philanthropic goals paired with lifetime income needs
The Trusts We Use and Why
Here are the most common tools we deploy for clients, tailored to the facts of your life and assets:
Long Term Care and Asset Protection Trust
Purpose: Position assets so you can qualify for government long term care benefits with strict resource limits.
Benefit: Preserves family wealth for a spouse or children while protecting eligibility.
Special Needs Trust
Purpose: Provide for a child or loved one with disabilities without disrupting benefits.
Benefit: Professional management, ongoing support, and safeguards long after you are gone.
Grantor Retained Annuity Trust, often paired with a Dynasty Trust or DAPT
Purpose: Move the future growth of pre IPO or rapidly appreciating assets outside your estate.
Benefit: You retain an annuity stream, while the upside passes to long term trusts for heirs, often with creditor protection and potential access through trustee approved loans.
Spousal Lifetime Access Trust
Purpose: Reduce estate tax exposure while keeping assets effectively within the marriage.
Benefit: One spouse gifts to a trust for the other, creating access and flexibility within a compliant framework.
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
Purpose: Keep large death benefits outside your estate and manage how funds are used.
Benefit: Avoid estate tax on policy proceeds, protect beneficiaries, and create a governed family liquidity source.
Charitable Remainder Trust, including CRAT and CRT structures
Purpose: Convert appreciated assets into lifetime income, defer capital gains, and benefit charity at death.
Benefit: Predictable income for you, tax efficiency, and a meaningful charitable legacy.
Timing Matters
Especially With Rapid Growth
Advanced plans take more design and paperwork, since these strategies must align with IRS guidance and case law. Our basic estate plans often finalize in about a month. Advanced trust planning typically requires three to six months, depending on complexity.
If you hold rapidly appreciating assets, such as pre IPO shares, timing is critical. To move growth outside your estate, the trust must be established and funded before the appreciation event. When an IPO timeline is known, we act early so that post IPO gains accrue where they should, not in your taxable estate.
Why Past Clients Trust Costaras Law
Discover How They Found It A Simple and Easy Process
Jan C.
Happy Grandma
Attorney Nicholas Costaras prepared my Will and Estate Planning documents. He made the process simple, easy, and straightforward for me. If you need to get your Will or Estate Plan in order, you'll love having him on your side!
Amanda M.
Entrepreneur & Mom
Mr. Costaras is a pleasure to work with. He is patient, highly knowledgeable, and an expert at what he does. He helped me prepare my documents quickly and efficiently. He is a rare gem in the world of law. Anticipate exceptional service.
Debora Z.
Retired & Loving It
Attorney Costaras prepared a full Estate Plan for me. He explained the difference between a Revocable Living Trust and a Last Will & Testament. Thanks to his help, I now have my Estate Planning in order. I highly recommend him!
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Schedule Your Consultation Today
Ready to explore your options? Partner with Costaras Law for expert guidance and strategic solutions.
Schedule a consultation with Nicholas Costaras today and take the first step toward achieving your business goals.