Trust & Legacy Planning
Trusts — Legacy Planning
Trust & Legacy Planning protects assets, directs how wealth transfers, and helps ensure your family receives what you built. Life insurance and annuities often fund trusts — and this work is coordinated with a licensed attorney who prepares the legal documents. Information here is educational and is not legal, tax, or investment advice.
Who It's For
Families who want control over how assets pass to the next generation
Anyone with minor children who needs guardianship and asset direction
People coordinating life insurance and annuities with an estate plan
Those who want to reduce friction and conflict for their heirs
How It Works
Discovery
We review your assets, family situation, and goals for how wealth should transfer.
Coordinate with counsel
I work alongside a licensed attorney who prepares or reviews the trust and estate documents.
Align insurance
We structure life insurance and annuities to fund the plan — owned by or payable to the trust as appropriate.
Review over time
We revisit the plan as your family, assets, and the law change so the plan stays current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you draft the trust documents?+
No. Trust and estate documents are prepared by or with a licensed attorney. I coordinate the insurance and annuity side and help align coverage with the plan your attorney structures.
How does life insurance work with a trust?+
A life insurance policy can be owned by a trust or name the trust as beneficiary, directing the death benefit according to your wishes and potentially simplifying settlement. The specifics are coordinated with your attorney.
Is this legal or tax advice?+
No. Information on this site is educational and is not legal, tax, or investment advice. For legal and tax matters, consult a licensed attorney and your tax advisor.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?+
A will directs asset transfer through probate after death. A trust can hold assets during your life and after, often avoiding probate and offering more control. Your attorney recommends the right structure for your situation.
How often should my estate plan be reviewed?+
I recommend reviewing your plan after major life events — marriage, birth, divorce, relocation, or significant asset changes — and every few years to keep it current with the law and your wishes.
Do I still need a trust if I don't have a lot of assets?+
A trust isn't only for large estates. If you have minor children, want to name guardians, or want to simplify things for your family, a trust may still help — and life insurance can fund it. Your attorney will advise whether one fits your situation.
What is a revocable vs. an irrevocable trust?+
A revocable trust can be changed during your lifetime and you keep control of the assets; an irrevocable trust generally transfers assets out of your estate and can't easily be changed. The right structure depends on your goals — and that call belongs to your attorney.
Can life insurance help avoid probate?+
Life insurance proceeds generally pass directly to named beneficiaries outside probate, which can simplify and speed up transfers. Naming a trust as beneficiary can add direction and control. We coordinate the ownership and beneficiary designations with your attorney's plan.
What should I bring to our first conversation?+
A list of your assets and debts, your beneficiaries and family situation, any existing policies, and your goals for how you want your wealth to pass. From there I help align your life insurance and annuities with the plan your attorney structures.
Ric Henley is a licensed independent insurance agent (License No. 3003373954). Insurance products are offered through licensed insurance carriers; product availability, features and costs vary by state and carrier and are subject to underwriting. Annuity and IUL guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Indexed products are not securities and do not directly participate in any stock or equity investment. Information on this site is educational and is not legal, tax or investment advice. Trust and estate documents are prepared by or with a licensed attorney.
Ready to Secure Your Future?
Schedule a no-cost consultation today