Revocable & Irrevocable Trusts in Florida
A trust lets you hold and manage your assets for the people you choose, with more control and privacy than a will alone provides. Depending on the type, you can keep full control during your lifetime or build in stronger long-term protection that continues after you’re gone. Our attorney drafts and funds trusts for Doral and greater Miami-area families, built to meet the requirements of Florida’s Trust Code.
Free consultation • Licensed by The Florida Bar • No obligation
- Avoids or simplifies probate
- Keeps your estate private, unlike a will
- Manages your assets if you become incapacitated
- Drafted and funded to meet Florida Statutes Chapter 736
Trust & Recognition
Recognized by the organizations that set the standard for estate planning excellence.
Licensed by The Florida Bar
WealthCounsel Attorney Member
Member of the American Bar Assoc.
Best of Florida 2025 Regional Winner
Top Estate Planning Attorney — BusinessRate
Why Families Use Trusts in Florida
A trust is a legal arrangement where your assets are held and managed for the benefit of the people you name. Families in Florida commonly use trusts to avoid or simplify probate, keep their estate private instead of a matter of public court record, manage assets smoothly if they become incapacitated, and protect beneficiaries over the long term.
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts: What's the Difference
Both hold and manage your assets, but they serve very different purposes.
Revocable living trust
You keep full control during your lifetime, and you can amend or revoke it at any time. Most people use this as the foundation of their estate plan.
Irrevocable trust
Once established, the terms generally can’t be changed. In exchange, it offers stronger asset protection and can reduce estate tax exposure.
Most people start with a revocable trust. An irrevocable trust is a more specific tool for specific goals, like protecting assets from creditors or long-term care costs.
Benefits of a Revocable Living Trust
- Avoids probate for assets properly held in the trust
- Flexibility to amend or revoke it at any time
- Continuity of asset management if you become incapacitated
- Simplified administration for your beneficiaries
Benefits of an Irrevocable Trust
01
Can protect assets from creditors
02
Can reduce estate tax exposure
03
Preserves wealth for future generations
04
Provides structured, ongoing support for beneficiaries
We help clients determine whether an irrevocable trust actually fits their financial goals, since it isn’t the right tool for everyone.
What a Revocable Trust Doesn't Do
A revocable trust is a powerful tool, but it’s not a cure-all. It’s worth knowing what it doesn’t cover:
- It doesn't protect your assets from your own creditors during your lifetime
- It doesn't replace the need for a will entirely, most plans still include a pour-over will
- It doesn't reduce your income taxes while you're alive
- It doesn't eliminate estate taxes on its own
Understanding these limits upfront helps us build a plan around what a trust actually does well.
Trust Planning Services in Doral & South Florida
We help clients throughout Florida with:
- Creating revocable and irrevocable trusts
- Funding trusts properly so they actually work as intended
- Coordinating your trust with your will, power of attorney, and health care documents
- Reviewing and updating existing trusts as circumstances change
Why Doral and Miami Families Choose Cardoso Estate Planning Firm
We explain your options in plain language, not legal jargon, so you understand what your trust actually does and what it doesn’t. We work with clients in both English and Spanish, and every trust we draft is coordinated with the rest of your estate plan, not handled as a standalone document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a revocable trust protect my assets from creditors?
No, not during your lifetime. Since you retain control and can revoke it at any time, Florida law treats trust assets the same as your other property for creditor purposes.
What does it mean to "fund" a trust?
It means retitling your assets, like real estate and bank accounts, into the trust’s name. A trust that isn’t funded doesn’t avoid probate, no matter how well it’s drafted.
Do I still need a will if I have a trust?
Usually yes, in the form of a pour-over will that catches any assets never transferred into the trust, so they’re still directed according to your wishes.
Can I change my mind after creating an irrevocable trust?
Generally, no. That’s the tradeoff for the stronger asset protection it provides, which is why it’s important to be sure before creating one.
How is a trust different from a will?
A trust can avoid probate and stays private. A will generally goes through probate, which is a public court process, but it’s the only document that can name guardians for minor children.
Does a trust reduce my taxes while I'm alive?
No. Income from a revocable trust is taxed to you the same as if you owned the assets directly, and the assets remain part of your taxable estate.
Does Cardoso Estate Planning Firm draft and fund trusts for clients in Doral and Miami?
Yes. Attorney Danielys Cardoso drafts and funds revocable and irrevocable trusts for clients across Doral and the greater Miami area, in English or Spanish, as part of a complete estate plan.
Ready to Set Up Your Trust?
Our attorney works directly with Doral and South Florida clients to build and fully fund a trust that fits your broader estate plan.
