Practice Areas

Trusts
Texas & North Carolina

Revocable and irrevocable trusts that help families protect what they own, provide for loved ones, and transfer assets without the delays and expense of probate. Flat-fee pricing and personalized guidance.

  • Licensed in Texas
  • Licensed in North Carolina
  • 30+ Years Experience
  • Flat-Fee Pricing
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Trusts
Trusts

What Is a Trust?

More control over how and
when your assets are managed.

A trust is a legal arrangement where a Trustee holds and manages property for the benefit of others. The person who creates the trust, called the grantor, transfers assets to it and sets the rules for how they will be used. The trustee follows those instructions to care for the people named as beneficiaries.

In Texas and North Carolina, a trust works alongside a will and your powers of attorney to form a complete estate plan. When a trust is properly funded, those assets stay out of probate, keeping the transfer process simpler, faster, and more private for your family.

Trusts are not only for the wealthy. They are practical tools for families who want to protect assets, provide for children or loved ones with special needs, avoid multi-state probate, or simply keep their affairs private.

Types of Trusts

Different trusts to accomplish
your goals.

Revocable Living Trust

The most flexible option. You retain full control during your lifetime, can amend or revoke it at any time, and typically serve as your own trustee. Assets held in the trust pass to your heirs without probate, keeping the process private and streamlined. A successor trustee steps in seamlessly if you become incapacitated or after you die.

Irrevocable Trust

Once funded, an irrevocable trust is difficult to change, but in exchange you may gain creditor protection, tax advantages, or both, depending on how it is drafted. It can be the right tool for moving a life insurance policy out of a taxable estate, protecting a business interest, or setting aside assets for heirs with clear rules for distribution.

Testamentary Trust

A testamentary trust is created through your Will and comes into existence after you pass away and probate is complete. Your Will directs how the trust will be managed and how assets will be distributed. Many people use these trusts to provide for minor children or to ensure an inheritance is handled carefully rather than all at once..

Special Needs Trust

Protects a loved one who receives needs-based benefits like Medicaid or SSI. An outright inheritance can disqualify them from those benefits. A special needs trust lets you provide meaningful financial support for therapies, travel, hobbies, education, and more, without putting their eligibility at risk.

Charitable Trusts

Support the causes you care about while reducing your taxable estate. A Charitable Remainder Trust pays income to you or a beneficiary for a set period, then distributes the remainder to charity. A Charitable Lead Trust pays charity first, then passes what remains to your named beneficiaries.

Medicaid Trust

For families concerned about long-term care costs, a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust can preserve assets for a spouse or children while protecting them from Medicaid spend-down. The trust is irrevocable and subject to a five-year lookback period in both Texas and North Carolina, so planning early is essential.

Making Your Trust Work

A trust only works
if it is funded.

Funding simply means transferring ownership of your assets into the trust’s name. A trust that is never funded is a trust that will not work as intended. Those unfunded assets still go through probate when you die.

Your plan should also include a pour-over will, which moves any assets left outside the trust at death into the trust automatically. It does not replace proper funding, but it ensures nothing is left behind.

Finally, certain assets such as retirement accounts and life insurance pass by beneficiary designation, not by trust or will. Reviewing and aligning those designations with your trust is an essential final step in making sure your plan works as a whole.

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1

Transfer Real Estate

Deed your home and other real property into the trust's name. This is one of the most important funding steps and prevents multi-state probate for out-of-state property.

2

Retitle Financial Accounts

Bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and other financial assets should be retitled in the name of the trust so they pass to heirs without court involvement.

3

Update Beneficiary Designations

Review life insurance and retirement accounts. In some cases naming the trust as beneficiary makes sense; in others, naming individuals directly is better. The right choice depends on your goals and tax situation.

4

Review After Major Life Events

A trust is not a set-and-forget document. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a move to another state, or a significant change in assets are all important times to review.

Why a Trust

What a trust can do that
a will alone cannot.

Privacy

A will becomes a public record when it goes through probate. A trust does not. If you have a fully funded trust, your assets, beneficiaries, and distribution terms remain private.

Avoid Probate

Properly funded trust assets transfer to your heirs without court involvement, saving time and expense and avoiding the delays that probate can impose on grieving families.

Multi-State Property

If you own real estate in more than one state, a trust avoids ancillary probate in each jurisdiction. Ancillary probate can be a costly and time-consuming process that a funded living trust eliminates.

Incapacity Protection

Having a living trust allows a successor trustee to step in and manage your trust assets seamlessly if you become incapacitated. No guardianship or conservatorship is required.

The Process

How It Works

Working with Rania is straightforward and secure. Here’s what to expect from our first conversation to your completed estate plan.

1

Free Introductory Conference

We start with a free introductory conference by video or phone. I'll learn about your family, your goals, and what you want your estate plan to accomplish.

2

Receive Your Flat-Fee Quote

Based on our conversation, I'll recommend the right plan and provide a firm, written fee quote before any work begins. No surprises.

3

Review Your Documents

I prepare your estate planning documents and share them through a secure client portal. You'll have the opportunity to review everything and ask questions.

4

Sign and Finalize

Once you're satisfied, I'll walk you through the signing requirements for your state with clear, step-by-step instructions so your documents are properly executed.

Client reviews

What clients say about working with Rania.

Families across Texas and North Carolina trust Rania Combs Law for thoughtful, personalized trust and estate planning.

Dan
A
Outstanding

I retained Rania to draft my complex estate plan, that involved multiple trusts, multiple beneficiaries, and all sorts of intricacies. Rania patiently worked with me over a period of ~2.5 years.

The Woodlands, TX
Kaye
A
Changes in Will

I was nervous during my consultation with Ms. Combs, but she quickly put me at ease. She was very professional, knowledgeable, and patient with all of my questions.

Texas
Pamela
A
Estate Planning

I read an article about estate planning and was led to Rania's article and website. I am so glad I found her. She was thorough, professional, and made the whole process easy.

Texas
Dan
A
Outstanding

I retained Rania to draft my complex estate plan, that involved multiple trusts, multiple beneficiaries, and all sorts of intricacies. Rania patiently worked with me over a period of ~2.5 years.

The Woodlands, TX
Kaye
A
Changes in Will

I was nervous during my consultation with Ms. Combs, but she quickly put me at ease. She was very professional, knowledgeable, and patient with all of my questions.

Texas
Pamela
A
Estate Planning

I read an article about estate planning and was led to Rania's article and website. I am so glad I found her. She was thorough, professional, and made the whole process easy.

Texas
More Client Reviews
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Common Questions

Trusts FAQ

Do I need a trust or is a will enough?

Not everyone needs a trust. A will alone can accomplish the goals of many families. A trust may be the right choice if you want to avoid probate, keep your affairs private, own real estate in more than one state, have a beneficiary who needs structured distributions, or want a seamless incapacity plan that avoids court involvement. During your consultation, Rania will assess your family, assets, and goals and recommend the approach that genuinely fits.

Does a revocable living trust protect assets from creditors?

No. Because you retain control over a revocable living trust during your lifetime, creditors can still reach those assets. The real strengths of a revocable living trust are control, privacy, and continuity for your family. If asset protection is the goal, an irrevocable trust structured specifically for that purpose is the more appropriate tool.

What is the difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust?

A revocable trust can be changed, amended, or cancelled at any time while you are alive and competent. You stay in control. An irrevocable trust, once funded, is very difficult to change. In return, you may receive benefits a revocable trust cannot provide, such as certain creditor protections, estate tax advantages, or Medicaid planning benefits. The right choice depends on your goals and what you are willing to give up in exchange for those benefits.

What does it mean to fund a trust?

Funding means transferring ownership of your assets into the trust. This might involve deeding real estate, retitling bank and investment accounts, or updating beneficiary designations. A trust that is never funded does not work. Those assets still go through probate at your death. Many families create a trust and then fail to fund it. I will guide you through the funding process to make sure your plan actually works the way you intend.

Will a trust help my family avoid probate?

Yes, for assets that are properly titled in the trust's name. When you die, a successor trustee can transfer those assets to your beneficiaries without going through probate court. This saves time, reduces expenses, and keeps your estate private. However, any assets left outside the trust at death will still be subject to probate, which is why a pour-over will and consistent funding are both essential parts of a complete trust-based plan.

Can a special needs trust affect my loved one's government benefits?

A properly drafted special needs trust preserves eligibility for needs-based benefits like Medicaid and SSI. Because the trust, not the beneficiary, owns the assets, they do not count as the beneficiary's personal resources for benefit eligibility purposes. An outright inheritance, by contrast, can disqualify a recipient from those programs. Special needs trusts must be drafted carefully to comply with applicable rules, which is why working with an experienced attorney is essential.

How much does a trust cost?

Rania Combs Law charges flat fees based on the type of trust and complexity of your plan. You will receive a written fee quote before any work begins. No hourly billing and no surprises. You can view general fee information on the fees page.

Find out if a trust is right for you.

Schedule a free introductory conference with Rania to discuss your family, your assets, and whether a trust belongs in your estate plan.

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