Create A Revocable Trust That Reflects Your Wishes In Maryland

Last updated on July 31, 2026

A revocable trust can serve as a central piece of an estate plan, offering flexibility that a will does not provide alone. For Bethesda residents, an estate planning attorney can help draft and fund a trust that may ease the process for loved ones later. Our lawyers at Chisholm Law Group, LLC, assist Maryland clients with estate and trust planning documents, starting with a clear picture of how a revocable trust works.

What Is A Revocable Living Trust?

A revocable living trust is a legal document that holds title to a person’s assets during their lifetime. The grantor, who creates the trust, typically manages those assets as trustee and keeps full control. The grantor can change or revoke its terms at any time, as long as the grantor has legal capacity to do so.

How Does A Trust Help Avoid Probate In Maryland?

Many Maryland residents set up a revocable trust to keep assets out of probate. Assets titled in the trust’s name pass to beneficiaries under its terms, without court supervision, which can reduce delays and costs tied to settling an estate.

What Privacy Advantages Does A Trust Offer Over A Will?

A will becomes part of the public record once filed with the Orphans’ Court, but a trust document generally stays private. Individuals working with an attorney should:

  • Review which assets are titled in the trust versus held individually
  • Confirm beneficiary designations match the overall estate plan
  • Revisit trust terms after marriage, divorce or the birth of a child

Attending to these details helps keep an estate plan both private and consistent.

How Can A Trust Address Incapacity Planning?

A properly drafted trust names a successor trustee who can step in and manage assets if the grantor can no longer handle financial matters. This may reduce the need for a court-supervised guardianship of property.

What Does Funding A Trust Involve?

A trust offers little benefit unless you place assets into it. Funding means retitling property in the trust’s name, and this process often includes:

  • Signing new deeds for real estate
  • Updating titles on bank and investment accounts
  • Naming the trust as beneficiary on applicable accounts

Property left outside the trust may still pass through Maryland probate.

What Does The Maryland Trust Act Cover?

Maryland has adopted a version of the Uniform Trust Code, known as the Maryland Trust Act. This law governs how individuals create, administer and modify trusts in the state. It also defines trustee duties and beneficiary rights.

Ready To Put A Revocable Trust In Place? Contact Chisholm Law Group, LLC.

Creating revocable trusts may help protect your wishes, preserve privacy and prepare for life’s unexpected events. If you are considering revocable living trusts or other estate planning options in Maryland, contact Chisholm Law Group, LLC, lawyers at 844-991-1392 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation.