Living Trust Attorney in Austin, Texas

A revocable living trust is one of the most powerful estate planning tools available — and one of the most misunderstood. The Austin living trust attorneys at Cowan & Associates, PLLC help families throughout Travis County and beyond create and properly fund living trusts that deliver real benefits.

What Is a Revocable Living Trust?

A revocable living trust is a legal document you create during your lifetime that holds your assets for your benefit while you're alive, and transfers them to your beneficiaries at death — without going through probate. As the grantor, you maintain complete control and can modify or revoke the trust at any time.

Key Benefits of a Living Trust

• Probate Avoidance — Assets in a trust pass directly to beneficiaries without court involvement, saving time and money
• Privacy — Unlike wills, trusts don't become public record. Your assets and beneficiaries remain private
• Incapacity Planning — Your successor trustee can manage assets immediately if you become incapacitated, without court intervention
• Multi-State Property — Avoids the need for separate ancillary probate proceedings in other states where you own real estate
• Speed — Trust distributions can typically be made within weeks rather than the months required for probate

Trust Funding — The Critical Step

A living trust only works if it's properly funded. This means actually transferring ownership of your assets — real estate, bank accounts, investments, business interests — into the trust's name. An unfunded trust provides none of its benefits. Our attorneys guide you through the funding process and help ensure your trust is complete.

Living Trust vs. Will: Which Do I Need?

For many Austin families, the answer is both. A living trust handles most assets, while a "pour-over will" captures any assets not yet transferred to the trust at death. Whether a trust is right for you depends on your assets, family situation, and goals — which we'll assess during your free consultation.

Irrevocable Trusts

Beyond revocable living trusts, we also draft irrevocable trusts for specific planning objectives including Medicaid planning, asset protection, charitable giving, and life insurance planning. These require giving up control in exchange for legal and tax benefits.