Living Trust Packages

Not All Living Trusts Are Created Equal

A living trust should be more than a stack of documents. It should give the right people the right authority, anticipate the circumstances your family may face, and carry out your intentions when you are no longer able to explain them.

Our three living trust packages provide different levels of guidance, protection, and customization.

Basic

A strong foundation for thoughtful planning

Designed for individuals and families whose needs can be addressed through a more standardized living trust structure. The Basic plan establishes the essential documents and decision-making framework needed to manage incapacity and transfer assets at death.

Foundational living trust and incapacity planning

Trustee and successor decision-maker provisions

Standard beneficiary distribution planning

Core will and power-of-attorney documents

Coordinated planning for common family needs

View Basic Details

Standard

More guidance, flexibility, and protection

The Standard plan builds on the foundation with broader instructions for incapacity, beneficiaries, and changing family circumstances. It is designed for families that want stronger inheritance planning and more flexibility without requiring the full depth of Premium customization.

Inheritance protection provisions for beneficiaries

Expanded disability and incapacity planning

More flexible beneficiary distribution options

Planning for remarriage and family changes

Broader customization of trustee authority and decisions

View Standard Details

Best Value

Premium

Our most complete planning experience

The Premium plan provides the greatest level of customization, long-term guidance, and multigenerational planning. It is designed for families that want their trust to do more than transfer assets—to preserve judgment, protect beneficiaries, and carry their intentions forward over time.

Multigenerational and dynasty trust planning

Advanced beneficiary and inheritance protections

Customized standards for trustee judgment and decision-making

Quiet Trust and beneficiary-awareness provisions

Long-term guidance for family values, well-being, and legacy

View Premium Details

What Thoughtful Planning Provides

More Than a Stack of Paper

Trust documents matter, but documents alone do not create a thoughtful estate plan. The real work is deciding who should act, what authority they should have, how assets and responsibilities should be coordinated, and how the plan should respond when life does not unfold as expected.

Each Cardon Law package represents a different level of planning, judgment, and customization—not simply a longer set of documents.

Control

Your plan determines who may act, what authority they receive, and when that authority begins.

Coordination

Your trust, will, powers of attorney, asset ownership, and beneficiary designations work together as one plan.

Protection

Thoughtful provisions can protect beneficiaries and address disability, remarriage, creditors, taxes, and changing family circumstances.

Intent

The plan reflects not only where assets should go, but how decisions should be made and what should guide them.

Planning Details

Compare Living Trust Packages

Review how the Basic, Standard, and Premium packages address trustees, incapacity, tax planning, beneficiary distributions, wills, powers of attorney, and other important planning decisions. Select the information icons for additional context about individual features and package differences.

Estate-plan package comparison
Feature	Basic	Most Popular Standard	Premium

Type of Trust	Solo / Joint / Separate	Solo / Joint / Separate	Solo / Joint / Separate
About this feature Identifies whether the plan uses a joint trust, separate individual trusts, or another trust structure tailored to the client’s family, ownership, and planning objectives.
Trust Name	Personalized	Personalized	Personalized
About this feature Establishes the formal legal name used to identify the trust on deeds, financial accounts, assignments, beneficiary forms, and other ownership records.
Revocable	Included	Included	Included
About this feature Determines whether the person creating the trust retains the authority to amend the trust, revoke it, or recover the assets during life.
Tax Impact / File 1040	Included	Included	Included
About this feature Identifies how trust income is reported for federal income-tax purposes and whether the trust’s activity is generally included on the creator’s individual income-tax return.
Use SSN	Included	Included	Included
About this feature Determines whether the trust can use the creator’s Social Security number for tax identification while the trust remains revocable and treated as owned by that person.

Quantity of Trustees	up to 2	up to 2	Custom
About this feature Specifies how many acting trustees and decision-makers may serve under the trust structure.	Basic package Allows the client to name as many as two people to serve together as trustee under the package’s established structure.	Standard package Uses the same two-trustee limit as the Basic package.	Premium package Trustee roles and the number of people serving can be designed around the client’s family, assets, business interests, and administrative needs.
Trustee Alternates	up to 2	up to 2	Custom
About this feature Names backup trustees who may step in if the original trustee cannot or should not continue serving.	Basic package Allows up to two successor trustees to be named if the original trustee cannot or will not continue serving.	Standard package Uses the same two-successor structure as the Basic package.	Premium package The succession structure can include additional individuals, professionals, institutions, or specialized roles based on the complexity of the plan.
Spouse’s Right to Replace a Trustee	Included	Optional	Optional
About this feature Determines whether a spouse may remove and replace a serving trustee under the terms of the trust.	Basic package Gives the surviving spouse the package’s established authority to replace a serving trustee.	Standard package The plan can give the surviving spouse replacement authority when that flexibility fits the family and protection objectives.	Premium package Replacement authority can be tailored around trustee independence, family dynamics, tax considerations, and the protections the plan is intended to preserve.
Consult With Your Advisers	Not Included	Not Included	Optional
About this feature Directs or permits the trustee to consult appropriate legal, tax, financial, or other professional advisers when administering the trust.	Basic package The Basic package does not add a formal adviser-consultation provision to the trustee’s decision-making structure.	Standard package The Standard package relies on the trustee and the plan’s established terms without adding a separate adviser-consultation framework.	Premium package The plan can authorize or encourage coordination with attorneys, accountants, investment advisers, or other professionals when specialized guidance may improve administration.

Disability Panel	2 Doctors	2 Doctors	Custom
About this feature Identifies the people or professionals who participate in determining whether you are unable to manage your own affairs.	Basic package Incapacity is determined through the agreement of two physicians, providing a clear medical standard before another person begins acting.	Standard package Uses the same two-physician determination process as the Basic package.	Premium package The people, professionals, and process involved in determining incapacity are tailored to the client’s family, medical circumstances, advisers, and concerns about how authority should shift.
Disability Test	Unanimous	Unanimous	Custom
About this feature Defines the standard that must be satisfied before another person may begin acting for you because of incapacity.	Basic package The designated decision-makers must agree that the client is incapacitated before authority shifts.	Standard package Uses the same unanimous determination requirement as the Basic package.	Premium package The required standard of agreement is designed around the client’s selected decision-makers and the level of protection and practicality the client wants.
Disability Priorities	Spouses	Spouses	Custom
About this feature Establishes the priorities that should guide the people managing your care, finances, and other affairs while you are incapacitated.	Basic package A spouse receives the primary role or priority contemplated by the foundational incapacity provisions.	Standard package Preserves the spouse-centered priority structure used in the Basic package.	Premium package Priority among spouses, family members, advisers, and other decision-makers is developed around the client’s actual relationships and concerns.
Disability Instructions	Basic	Expanded	Custom
About this feature Provides instructions for how your affairs should be managed if you become unable to make or communicate decisions for yourself.	Basic package Provides foundational instructions for common incapacity situations so the people acting can manage routine financial and personal matters without unnecessary court involvement.	Standard package Adds broader guidance about the client’s care, financial priorities, property, and coordination among the people acting during incapacity.	Premium package Develops detailed instructions around the client’s family, assets, businesses, advisers, care preferences, and the judgment the client wants decision-makers to apply.
Optional Testamentary Trust (Pourback)	Not Included	Included	Included
About this feature Creates a trust at death that can receive assets through the will and hold them under the terms established in the estate plan.	Basic package The Basic package does not add this optional testamentary trust structure.	Standard package Adds a testamentary trust that can receive qualifying assets through the will and administer them under coordinated trust terms.	Premium package Includes the testamentary trust structure and coordinates it with the more customized provisions of the Premium plan.

Step-Up in Basis for Non-Retirement Assets	Included	Included	Included
About this feature Coordinates the plan so eligible non-retirement assets may receive an adjusted income-tax basis at death.
Credit Shelter of Applicable Exclusion Amount	Not Included	Included	Included
About this feature Allows an amount based on the available estate-tax exclusion to be allocated to a separate trust when the first spouse dies.	Basic package The Basic package does not create a separate credit-shelter structure using the first spouse’s available estate-tax exclusion.	Standard package Provides a credit-shelter structure that may preserve and administer part of the first spouse’s available estate-tax exclusion when the provision is appropriate.	Premium package Includes credit-shelter planning coordinated with the Premium package’s customized tax, modification, beneficiary, and long-term trust provisions.
Formula Testamentary Power of Appointment	Not Included	Not Included	Optional
About this feature Uses a formula-based power that may allow trust assets to be included in a beneficiary’s taxable estate when doing so could produce a better overall tax result.	Basic package The Basic package does not add this formula-based tax-planning provision.	Standard package The Standard package does not include this specialized formula provision.	Premium package A formula-based power of appointment can be added when it may improve flexibility for estate-tax inclusion, basis planning, or future changes in tax circumstances.

Revocable to Surviving Spouse	Included	Optional	Optional
About this feature Determines whether some or all of the trust may remain amendable or revocable by the surviving spouse after the first spouse dies.	Basic package The surviving spouse retains the package’s established authority to revise or revoke the continuing plan after the first death.	Standard package The plan can preserve broader authority for the surviving spouse or limit it when protection, beneficiary, or remarriage concerns call for greater restraint.	Premium package The surviving spouse’s modification authority can be designed around family relationships, asset protection, tax planning, business interests, and the original client’s objectives.
Spousal Power of Appointment	Not Included	Included	Included
About this feature Gives the surviving spouse defined authority to redirect trust property among an approved group of beneficiaries.	Basic package The Basic package does not give the surviving spouse a separate power to redirect trust property through a power of appointment.	Standard package Gives the surviving spouse defined authority to redirect trust property among the permitted people or purposes established by the plan.	Premium package Includes a power of appointment coordinated with customized beneficiary, protection, tax, and family provisions.
Remarriage Protection	Not Included	Included	Included
About this feature Adds provisions intended to protect the deceased spouse’s assets and intended beneficiaries if the surviving spouse later remarries.	Basic package The Basic package does not add specialized provisions addressing the effect of a surviving spouse’s remarriage on the continuing trust.	Standard package Adds provisions intended to preserve the original family plan if the surviving spouse later remarries.	Premium package Includes remarriage protections coordinated with customized trustee powers, beneficiary rights, modification authority, and long-term family objectives.

Specific Gifts - First Death	Not Included	Included	Included
About this feature Identifies gifts that should be made when the first spouse dies rather than waiting until both spouses have died.	Basic package The Basic package does not separately plan gifts that must be made when the first spouse dies.	Standard package Allows specific people, organizations, dollar amounts, or property to be addressed at the first death before the remaining assets continue under the broader plan.	Premium package Includes first-death gift planning coordinated with the Premium package’s customized distribution, protection, and tax provisions.
Specific Gifts - Second Death	Not Included	Included	Included
About this feature Identifies gifts that should be made after the surviving spouse dies and before the remaining estate is divided among the residual beneficiaries.	Basic package The Basic package does not separately identify gifts to be distributed after both spouses have died.	Standard package Allows particular gifts to be distributed after the surviving spouse’s death before the balance passes to the remaining beneficiaries.	Premium package Includes second-death gift planning coordinated with the Premium package’s customized beneficiary and legacy provisions.
Common / Pot Trust for Beneficiaries	Not Included	Included	Included
About this feature Allows property to remain in a shared trust for a group of beneficiaries rather than immediately dividing it into equal individual shares.	Basic package The Basic package divides the inheritance without first using a shared trust for the beneficiaries’ differing needs.	Standard package Allows assets to remain in a shared trust so the trustee can respond to beneficiaries’ needs before ultimately dividing the remaining property.	Premium package Includes a shared-trust option with greater flexibility to address different beneficiaries, circumstances, priorities, and long-term objectives.
Distribution Pattern	Equal	Custom	Custom
About this feature Establishes the timing and structure of distributions, such as equal shares, staged distributions, continuing trusts, or a customized pattern.	Basic package Divides the remaining inheritance equally among the designated beneficiaries under the package’s standard distribution structure.	Standard package The distribution pattern can be adapted to beneficiary ages, circumstances, family relationships, and the client’s intended timing for access.	Premium package The distribution pattern is designed around more complex family, protection, tax, business, and multigenerational objectives.
Distribution Format	Outright	Inheritance Protection Trust	Inheritance Protection Trust
About this feature Determines whether a beneficiary receives property outright or continues to benefit through a protective trust.	Basic package Beneficiaries receive their inheritance directly, giving them immediate ownership and control after the applicable distribution conditions are satisfied.	Standard package A beneficiary’s share can remain in a continuing trust, allowing access and benefit while preserving separation from direct personal ownership.	Premium package Uses a continuing protective trust coordinated with customized distribution standards, trustee powers, and longer-term family objectives.
Unanticipated Beneficiaries	Basic	Expanded	Expanded
About this feature Provides instructions for people who may become beneficiaries because of a later birth, adoption, marriage, death, or other unexpected family change.	Basic package Uses foundational provisions for beneficiaries who become relevant because of a later birth, adoption, death, marriage, or other unforeseen change.	Standard package Provides broader instructions for unexpected family changes and how newly relevant beneficiaries should fit within the distribution plan.	Premium package Includes expanded treatment coordinated with customized family definitions, protected shares, and multigenerational planning.
Inheritance Protection	Not Included	Included	Included
About this feature Determines whether a beneficiary’s inheritance is distributed outright or held in a continuing trust designed to provide access while preserving legal protections.	Basic package The Basic package does not continue the inheritance in a protective trust after distribution to the beneficiary.	Standard package Keeps a beneficiary’s inheritance within a trust structure intended to preserve protection while allowing the beneficiary to receive appropriate benefits.	Premium package Includes inheritance protection integrated with customized trustees, distribution standards, family objectives, and long-term planning.
Special Needs Trust	Not Included	Included	Included
About this feature Holds an inheritance for a beneficiary with a disability in a way designed to supplement care without unnecessarily disrupting eligibility for means-tested public benefits.	Basic package The Basic package does not add specialized provisions for a beneficiary whose inheritance may affect eligibility for means-tested public benefits.	Standard package Allows a qualifying beneficiary’s inheritance to be administered through specialized terms intended to supplement care without unnecessarily disrupting public benefits.	Premium package Includes special-needs planning coordinated with the beneficiary’s circumstances, caregivers, trustees, other resources, and long-term support needs.
Multi-Generational / Dynasty	Not Included	Not Included	Included
About this feature Allows trust assets to continue for children, grandchildren, and later generations rather than requiring the trust to end after the first beneficiary’s lifetime.	Basic package The Basic package does not intentionally continue the trust through multiple generations.	Standard package The Standard package focuses protection on the initial beneficiaries rather than creating a customized multigenerational trust structure.	Premium package Allows assets and protections to continue for children, grandchildren, and later generations under customized long-term trust provisions.
Quiet Trust	Not Included	Not Included	Included
About this feature Delays or limits the information provided to a beneficiary about the trust when immediate disclosure could be harmful or inconsistent with the plan.	Basic package The Basic package does not delay or limit ordinary disclosure of the trust to a beneficiary.	Standard package The Standard package does not include specialized provisions designed to postpone a beneficiary’s knowledge of the trust.	Premium package Allows disclosure to be delayed or managed when immediate knowledge could undermine maturity, motivation, protection, or the purposes of the plan.
Well-Being Provisions	Not Included	Not Included	Included
About this feature Gives the trustee guidance about how trust resources may support a beneficiary’s broader well-being, development, independence, and productive use of the inheritance.	Basic package The Basic package does not add detailed guidance about how trust resources should support a beneficiary’s development, responsibility, and overall well-being.	Standard package The Standard package relies on its established legal and distribution standards without adding a customized well-being framework.	Premium package Adds individualized guidance about self-reliance, opportunity, productive habits, family values, and how financial support should help rather than enable dependence.

Retirement Asset Planning	Not Included	Additional Fee	Additional Fee
About this feature Coordinates retirement-account beneficiary designations and trust provisions with the tax, distribution, protection, and family issues unique to retirement assets.	Basic package Specialized retirement-asset planning is not included in the Basic package.	Standard package Retirement-account planning can be added when beneficiary designations, trust provisions, tax rules, or family circumstances require separate analysis and drafting.	Premium package Advanced retirement-asset planning can be added and coordinated with the Premium plan’s customized tax, beneficiary, protection, and long-term trust provisions.
Asset Protection Trust	Not Included	Additional Fee	Additional Fee
About this feature Uses a separate irrevocable trust structure to place selected assets behind additional legal barriers before a creditor problem arises.	Basic package A separate asset protection trust is not included in the Basic package.	Standard package An asset protection trust can be added for selected assets when the client’s risk profile and circumstances justify a separate protective structure.	Premium package A customized asset protection trust can be added and coordinated with the Premium plan’s broader tax, succession, business, and family objectives.


Nomination of Guardian for Minors	Included	Included	Included
About this feature Names the person the client would prefer to care for minor children if no parent is able to do so.
Nomination of Conservator for Minors	Included	Included	Included
About this feature Names the person the client would prefer to manage property for a minor child if a court-supervised conservatorship becomes necessary.
Pourover to Trust	Included	Included	Included
About this feature Directs assets passing through the will into the living trust so they can be administered under the trust’s distribution terms.
Testamentary Pourback of Trust	Not Included	Included	Included
About this feature Directs property held under a testamentary arrangement back into the continuing trust structure when the conditions specified in the plan are satisfied.	Basic package The Basic package does not add the optional testamentary trust structure created through the will.	Standard package Adds a testamentary trust that can receive qualifying assets through the will and administer them under coordinated trust terms.	Premium package Includes the testamentary trust structure coordinated with the Premium package’s customized beneficiary, protection, tax, and legacy provisions.

Financial Powers	Basic	Comprehensive	Comprehensive
About this feature Defines the financial, legal, and property-related actions an appointed agent may take on the client’s behalf.	Basic package Grants the foundational financial authority needed to handle common personal and legal matters when the client cannot act.	Standard package Provides broader authority to address a wider range of financial, legal, property, tax, and administrative matters.	Premium package Uses comprehensive financial authority coordinated with the Premium package’s customized trust, business, tax, and asset-planning provisions.
Funding Powers	Integrated	Stand Alone	Stand Alone
About this feature Authorizes the agent to transfer, retitle, or otherwise coordinate assets with the client’s trust and estate plan.	Basic package Funding authority is incorporated into the Basic package’s general power-of-attorney structure.	Standard package Uses a separate funding power designed specifically to coordinate ownership and transfers with the estate plan.	Premium package Uses a separate funding power coordinated with the Premium plan’s more customized trusts, entities, assets, and planning objectives.
Springing Authority	Not Included	Included	Included
About this feature Delays the agent’s authority until a defined event occurs, commonly a determination that the client is incapacitated.	Basic package The Basic power is not limited to becoming effective only after a later incapacity or triggering event.	Standard package Allows the designated authority to begin after the incapacity standard or other triggering conditions in the document are satisfied.	Premium package Includes springing authority coordinated with the Premium plan’s customized incapacity process, decision-makers, and activation standards.
Durable Authority	Included	Included	Included
About this feature Allows the agent’s authority to continue even after the client becomes incapacitated.

Nomination — Conservator	Integrated	Stand Alone	Stand Alone
About this feature Identifies the person you would want considered to manage your financial affairs if a court-supervised conservatorship becomes necessary.	Basic package The conservator nomination is integrated into the Basic package’s planning structure rather than prepared as a separate stand-alone document.	Standard package The conservator nomination is prepared as a separate document that can be maintained and used independently of the trust.	Premium package The conservator nomination is prepared as a separate document that can be coordinated with the broader customized plan.
Nomination — Guardian of Adult	Integrated	Stand Alone	Stand Alone
About this feature Identifies the person you would want considered to make personal-care decisions for you if an adult guardianship becomes necessary.	Basic package The adult guardian nomination is integrated into the Basic package’s planning structure rather than prepared as a separate stand-alone document.	Standard package The adult guardian nomination is prepared as a separate document that can be maintained and used independently of the trust.	Premium package The adult guardian nomination is prepared as a separate document and coordinated with the Premium plan’s broader decision-making structure.

Health Care Agent Appointment	Integrated	Integrated	Integrated
About this feature Names the person authorized to make health care decisions for you when you cannot make or communicate those decisions yourself.	Basic package The health care agent appointment is integrated into the Basic package’s health care planning documents.	Standard package The health care agent appointment is integrated into the Standard package’s health care planning documents.	Premium package The health care agent appointment is integrated into the Premium package’s customized health care planning documents.
Consent to Medical Research	Integrated	Integrated	Integrated
About this feature States whether and under what circumstances an authorized decision-maker may consent to participation in medical research on your behalf.	Basic package Medical-research consent provisions are integrated into the Basic package’s health care planning documents.	Standard package Medical-research consent provisions are integrated into the Standard package’s health care planning documents.	Premium package Medical-research consent provisions are integrated into the Premium package’s customized health care planning documents.
Organ Donation	Integrated	Integrated	Integrated
About this feature Records your wishes regarding the donation of organs, tissues, or other anatomical gifts after death.	Basic package Organ-donation instructions are integrated into the Basic package’s health care and end-of-life planning documents.	Standard package Organ-donation instructions are integrated into the Standard package’s health care and end-of-life planning documents.	Premium package Organ-donation instructions are integrated into the Premium package’s customized health care and end-of-life planning documents.
Living Will	Integrated	Integrated	Integrated
About this feature Communicates your preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment and end-of-life medical care if you cannot speak for yourself.	Basic package Living-will provisions are integrated into the Basic package’s health care planning documents.	Standard package Living-will provisions are integrated into the Standard package’s health care planning documents.	Premium package Living-will provisions are integrated into the Premium package’s customized health care planning documents.
HIPAA Authorization	Integrated	Included	Included
About this feature Authorizes designated people to receive protected medical information that health care providers might otherwise be prohibited from sharing.	Basic package HIPAA authorization is integrated into the Basic package’s health care planning documents.	Standard package A HIPAA authorization is included with the Standard package.	Premium package A HIPAA authorization is included with the Premium package.
Disposition of Mortal Remains	No	Yes	Yes
About this feature States who may control decisions concerning your remains and may provide direction regarding burial, cremation, services, or other final arrangements.	Basic package A separate disposition-of-remains document is not included in the Basic package.	Standard package A disposition-of-remains document is included in the Standard package.	Premium package A disposition-of-remains document is included in the Premium package and coordinated with the broader plan.

Power of Attorney — Care for Minors	Additional $250	Additional $250	Included
About this feature Authorizes another adult to care for minor children and make specified decisions during a parent’s temporary absence or inability to act.	Basic package Available with the Basic package for an additional $250.	Standard package Available with the Standard package for an additional $250.	Premium package Power of Attorney for Care of Minor Children is included in the Premium package.
Nomination — Guardian of Minors	Additional $350	Additional $350	Included
About this feature Identifies the person or people you would want appointed to care for your minor children if neither parent can serve.	Basic package Available with the Basic package for an additional $350.	Standard package Available with the Standard package for an additional $350.	Premium package A nomination of guardian for minor children is included in the Premium package.

Assignment of Personal Property	Magic Wand	Stand Alone	Stand Alone
About this feature Assigns eligible tangible personal property to the trust or intended estate-planning structure.	Basic package The Basic package uses its general “Magic Wand” assignment approach for eligible personal property.	Standard package A separate assignment of personal property is prepared with the Standard package.	Premium package A separate assignment of personal property is prepared and coordinated with the Premium plan.
Assignment of Assets	Magic Wand	Stand Alone	Stand Alone
About this feature Documents the assignment of eligible assets or ownership interests to the trust or intended planning structure.	Basic package The Basic package uses its general “Magic Wand” assignment approach for eligible assets.	Standard package A separate assignment of assets is prepared with the Standard package.	Premium package A separate assignment of assets is prepared and coordinated with the Premium plan.
Special Warranty Deed	$250 plus costs	$250 plus costs	One included
About this feature Transfers qualifying real property into the trust or other ownership structure identified in the estate plan.	Basic package Available with the Basic package for $250, plus applicable recording, filing, title, or other transaction costs.	Standard package Available with the Standard package for $250, plus applicable recording, filing, title, or other transaction costs.	Premium package One Special Warranty Deed is included in the Premium package. Additional deeds and third-party costs may be charged separately.

Type of Trust: Solo / Joint / Separate; About this feature
Identifies whether the plan uses a joint trust, separate individual trusts, or another trust structure tailored to the client’s family, ownership, and planning objectives.
Trust Name: Personalized; About this feature
Establishes the formal legal name used to identify the trust on deeds, financial accounts, assignments, beneficiary forms, and other ownership records.
Revocable: Included; About this feature
Determines whether the person creating the trust retains the authority to amend the trust, revoke it, or recover the assets during life.
Tax Impact / File 1040: Included; About this feature
Identifies how trust income is reported for federal income-tax purposes and whether the trust’s activity is generally included on the creator’s individual income-tax return.
Use SSN: Included; About this feature
Determines whether the trust can use the creator’s Social Security number for tax identification while the trust remains revocable and treated as owned by that person.

Quantity of Trustees: up to 2; About this feature
Specifies how many acting trustees and decision-makers may serve under the trust structure.

Standard package
Uses the same two-trustee limit as the Basic package.
Trustee Alternates: up to 2; About this feature
Names backup trustees who may step in if the original trustee cannot or should not continue serving.

Standard package
Uses the same two-successor structure as the Basic package.
Spouse’s Right to Replace a Trustee: Optional; About this feature
Determines whether a spouse may remove and replace a serving trustee under the terms of the trust.

Standard package
The plan can give the surviving spouse replacement authority when that flexibility fits the family and protection objectives.
Consult With Your Advisers: Not Included; About this feature
Directs or permits the trustee to consult appropriate legal, tax, financial, or other professional advisers when administering the trust.

Standard package
The Standard package relies on the trustee and the plan’s established terms without adding a separate adviser-consultation framework.

Disability Panel: 2 Doctors; About this feature
Identifies the people or professionals who participate in determining whether you are unable to manage your own affairs.

Standard package
Uses the same two-physician determination process as the Basic package.
Disability Test: Unanimous; About this feature
Defines the standard that must be satisfied before another person may begin acting for you because of incapacity.

Standard package
Uses the same unanimous determination requirement as the Basic package.
Disability Priorities: Spouses; About this feature
Establishes the priorities that should guide the people managing your care, finances, and other affairs while you are incapacitated.

Standard package
Preserves the spouse-centered priority structure used in the Basic package.
Disability Instructions: Expanded; About this feature
Provides instructions for how your affairs should be managed if you become unable to make or communicate decisions for yourself.

Standard package
Adds broader guidance about the client’s care, financial priorities, property, and coordination among the people acting during incapacity.
Optional Testamentary Trust (Pourback): Included; About this feature
Creates a trust at death that can receive assets through the will and hold them under the terms established in the estate plan.

Standard package
Adds a testamentary trust that can receive qualifying assets through the will and administer them under coordinated trust terms.

Step-Up in Basis for Non-Retirement Assets: Included; About this feature
Coordinates the plan so eligible non-retirement assets may receive an adjusted income-tax basis at death.
Credit Shelter of Applicable Exclusion Amount: Included; About this feature
Allows an amount based on the available estate-tax exclusion to be allocated to a separate trust when the first spouse dies.

Standard package
Provides a credit-shelter structure that may preserve and administer part of the first spouse’s available estate-tax exclusion when the provision is appropriate.
Formula Testamentary Power of Appointment: Not Included; About this feature
Uses a formula-based power that may allow trust assets to be included in a beneficiary’s taxable estate when doing so could produce a better overall tax result.

Standard package
The Standard package does not include this specialized formula provision.

Revocable to Surviving Spouse: Optional; About this feature
Determines whether some or all of the trust may remain amendable or revocable by the surviving spouse after the first spouse dies.

Standard package
The plan can preserve broader authority for the surviving spouse or limit it when protection, beneficiary, or remarriage concerns call for greater restraint.
Spousal Power of Appointment: Included; About this feature
Gives the surviving spouse defined authority to redirect trust property among an approved group of beneficiaries.

Standard package
Gives the surviving spouse defined authority to redirect trust property among the permitted people or purposes established by the plan.
Remarriage Protection: Included; About this feature
Adds provisions intended to protect the deceased spouse’s assets and intended beneficiaries if the surviving spouse later remarries.

Standard package
Adds provisions intended to preserve the original family plan if the surviving spouse later remarries.

Specific Gifts - First Death: Included; About this feature
Identifies gifts that should be made when the first spouse dies rather than waiting until both spouses have died.

Standard package
Allows specific people, organizations, dollar amounts, or property to be addressed at the first death before the remaining assets continue under the broader plan.
Specific Gifts - Second Death: Included; About this feature
Identifies gifts that should be made after the surviving spouse dies and before the remaining estate is divided among the residual beneficiaries.

Standard package
Allows particular gifts to be distributed after the surviving spouse’s death before the balance passes to the remaining beneficiaries.
Common / Pot Trust for Beneficiaries: Included; About this feature
Allows property to remain in a shared trust for a group of beneficiaries rather than immediately dividing it into equal individual shares.

Standard package
Allows assets to remain in a shared trust so the trustee can respond to beneficiaries’ needs before ultimately dividing the remaining property.
Distribution Pattern: Custom; About this feature
Establishes the timing and structure of distributions, such as equal shares, staged distributions, continuing trusts, or a customized pattern.

Standard package
The distribution pattern can be adapted to beneficiary ages, circumstances, family relationships, and the client’s intended timing for access.
Distribution Format: Inheritance Protection Trust; About this feature
Determines whether a beneficiary receives property outright or continues to benefit through a protective trust.

Standard package
A beneficiary’s share can remain in a continuing trust, allowing access and benefit while preserving separation from direct personal ownership.
Unanticipated Beneficiaries: Expanded; About this feature
Provides instructions for people who may become beneficiaries because of a later birth, adoption, marriage, death, or other unexpected family change.

Standard package
Provides broader instructions for unexpected family changes and how newly relevant beneficiaries should fit within the distribution plan.
Inheritance Protection: Included; About this feature
Determines whether a beneficiary’s inheritance is distributed outright or held in a continuing trust designed to provide access while preserving legal protections.

Standard package
Keeps a beneficiary’s inheritance within a trust structure intended to preserve protection while allowing the beneficiary to receive appropriate benefits.
Special Needs Trust: Included; About this feature
Holds an inheritance for a beneficiary with a disability in a way designed to supplement care without unnecessarily disrupting eligibility for means-tested public benefits.

Standard package
Allows a qualifying beneficiary’s inheritance to be administered through specialized terms intended to supplement care without unnecessarily disrupting public benefits.
Multi-Generational / Dynasty: Not Included; About this feature
Allows trust assets to continue for children, grandchildren, and later generations rather than requiring the trust to end after the first beneficiary’s lifetime.

Standard package
The Standard package focuses protection on the initial beneficiaries rather than creating a customized multigenerational trust structure.
Quiet Trust: Not Included; About this feature
Delays or limits the information provided to a beneficiary about the trust when immediate disclosure could be harmful or inconsistent with the plan.

Standard package
The Standard package does not include specialized provisions designed to postpone a beneficiary’s knowledge of the trust.
Well-Being Provisions: Not Included; About this feature
Gives the trustee guidance about how trust resources may support a beneficiary’s broader well-being, development, independence, and productive use of the inheritance.

Standard package
The Standard package relies on its established legal and distribution standards without adding a customized well-being framework.

Retirement Asset Planning: Additional Fee; About this feature
Coordinates retirement-account beneficiary designations and trust provisions with the tax, distribution, protection, and family issues unique to retirement assets.

Standard package
Retirement-account planning can be added when beneficiary designations, trust provisions, tax rules, or family circumstances require separate analysis and drafting.
Asset Protection Trust: Additional Fee; About this feature
Uses a separate irrevocable trust structure to place selected assets behind additional legal barriers before a creditor problem arises.

Standard package
An asset protection trust can be added for selected assets when the client’s risk profile and circumstances justify a separate protective structure.

Nomination of Guardian for Minors: Included; About this feature
Names the person the client would prefer to care for minor children if no parent is able to do so.
Nomination of Conservator for Minors: Included; About this feature
Names the person the client would prefer to manage property for a minor child if a court-supervised conservatorship becomes necessary.
Pourover to Trust: Included; About this feature
Directs assets passing through the will into the living trust so they can be administered under the trust’s distribution terms.
Testamentary Pourback of Trust: Included; About this feature
Directs property held under a testamentary arrangement back into the continuing trust structure when the conditions specified in the plan are satisfied.

Standard package
Adds a testamentary trust that can receive qualifying assets through the will and administer them under coordinated trust terms.

Financial Powers: Comprehensive; About this feature
Defines the financial, legal, and property-related actions an appointed agent may take on the client’s behalf.

Standard package
Provides broader authority to address a wider range of financial, legal, property, tax, and administrative matters.
Funding Powers: Stand Alone; About this feature
Authorizes the agent to transfer, retitle, or otherwise coordinate assets with the client’s trust and estate plan.

Standard package
Uses a separate funding power designed specifically to coordinate ownership and transfers with the estate plan.
Springing Authority: Included; About this feature
Delays the agent’s authority until a defined event occurs, commonly a determination that the client is incapacitated.

Standard package
Allows the designated authority to begin after the incapacity standard or other triggering conditions in the document are satisfied.
Durable Authority: Included; About this feature
Allows the agent’s authority to continue even after the client becomes incapacitated.

Nomination — Conservator: Stand Alone; About this feature
Identifies the person you would want considered to manage your financial affairs if a court-supervised conservatorship becomes necessary.

Standard package
The conservator nomination is prepared as a separate document that can be maintained and used independently of the trust.
Nomination — Guardian of Adult: Stand Alone; About this feature
Identifies the person you would want considered to make personal-care decisions for you if an adult guardianship becomes necessary.

Standard package
The adult guardian nomination is prepared as a separate document that can be maintained and used independently of the trust.

Health Care Agent Appointment: Integrated; About this feature
Names the person authorized to make health care decisions for you when you cannot make or communicate those decisions yourself.

Standard package
The health care agent appointment is integrated into the Standard package’s health care planning documents.
Consent to Medical Research: Integrated; About this feature
States whether and under what circumstances an authorized decision-maker may consent to participation in medical research on your behalf.

Standard package
Medical-research consent provisions are integrated into the Standard package’s health care planning documents.
Organ Donation: Integrated; About this feature
Records your wishes regarding the donation of organs, tissues, or other anatomical gifts after death.

Standard package
Organ-donation instructions are integrated into the Standard package’s health care and end-of-life planning documents.
Living Will: Integrated; About this feature
Communicates your preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment and end-of-life medical care if you cannot speak for yourself.

Standard package
Living-will provisions are integrated into the Standard package’s health care planning documents.
HIPAA Authorization: Included; About this feature
Authorizes designated people to receive protected medical information that health care providers might otherwise be prohibited from sharing.

Standard package
A HIPAA authorization is included with the Standard package.
Disposition of Mortal Remains: Yes; About this feature
States who may control decisions concerning your remains and may provide direction regarding burial, cremation, services, or other final arrangements.

Standard package
A disposition-of-remains document is included in the Standard package.

Power of Attorney — Care for Minors: Additional $250; About this feature
Authorizes another adult to care for minor children and make specified decisions during a parent’s temporary absence or inability to act.

Standard package
Available with the Standard package for an additional $250.
Nomination — Guardian of Minors: Additional $350; About this feature
Identifies the person or people you would want appointed to care for your minor children if neither parent can serve.

Standard package
Available with the Standard package for an additional $350.

Assignment of Personal Property: Stand Alone; About this feature
Assigns eligible tangible personal property to the trust or intended estate-planning structure.

Standard package
A separate assignment of personal property is prepared with the Standard package.
Assignment of Assets: Stand Alone; About this feature
Documents the assignment of eligible assets or ownership interests to the trust or intended planning structure.

Standard package
A separate assignment of assets is prepared with the Standard package.
Special Warranty Deed: $250 plus costs; About this feature
Transfers qualifying real property into the trust or other ownership structure identified in the estate plan.

Standard package
Available with the Standard package for $250, plus applicable recording, filing, title, or other transaction costs.

This comparison is provided for general informational purposes and illustrates common differences among Cardon Law’s living trust packages. Package features and availability are subject to change.

Every estate plan is personalized to the client’s circumstances, objectives, assets, and family needs. A recommended plan may include provisions, documents, or additional planning not shown here.

Cardon Law does not provide a cookie-cutter stack of papers. The final structure of each plan is determined through a thoughtful planning process and may differ from the examples summarized on this page.

Choosing a Package

Not Sure Which Level of Planning Fits?

The right package depends on your family, assets, business interests, beneficiaries, and the amount of guidance and flexibility you want built into the plan. Jeff will help you identify which provisions matter and whether additional planning will provide meaningful value.

Book Time With Jeff

Jeff Cardon meeting with a client at his Pleasant Grove, Utah office.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in every living trust package?

Every package includes a personalized revocable living trust, trustee planning, disability provisions, a last will and testament, and durable powers of attorney. Each plan also addresses core decisions such as who will act, how assets will be managed, and how property will pass after death. The level of customization, protection, and long-term guidance increases from Basic to Standard to Premium.

Why is the Standard package the most popular?

The Standard package offers a broader level of planning than Basic without requiring the full customization of Premium. It adds features such as expanded disability instructions, more flexible beneficiary distributions, inheritance protection, remarriage planning, and comprehensive financial powers of attorney. For many families, it provides a practical balance of protection, flexibility, and cost.

Why is Premium considered the best value?

Premium includes Cardon Law’s most complete level of planning and customization. It expands trustee flexibility, beneficiary protections, multigenerational planning, Quiet Trust provisions, well-being guidance, and other advanced options designed to carry a client’s intentions forward over time. For families who value those provisions, the additional planning can provide substantial long-term value relative to the added investment.

How will I know which package is right for me?

The right package depends on your family structure, assets, beneficiaries, business interests, planning goals, and the amount of flexibility you want built into the plan. During the planning process, Jeff will help identify which provisions are relevant and whether the additional features in Standard or Premium would provide meaningful value.

Can my package include planning not shown in the chart?

Yes. The comparison chart summarizes common package features, but it is not an exhaustive list of every document, provision, or planning decision that may be appropriate. Every estate plan is personalized, and some clients may need additional planning based on their assets, family circumstances, tax exposure, business interests, or other objectives.

Can I upgrade or revise my plan later?

Estate plans can generally be reviewed and revised as your circumstances and goals change. Whether a particular package can simply be upgraded, or whether broader revisions are needed, will depend on the plan already in place and the changes you want to make.

Are asset protection trusts included?

Asset Protection Trust planning is available as an additional service with the Standard and Premium packages. It is not included in the Basic package. Whether it makes sense for you will depend on your assets, potential risks, and broader planning goals.

Are trust-funding services included?

Trust funding can vary depending on the types of assets you own and how they are currently titled. We will explain what funding steps are needed, what assistance is included, and what you may need to complete after your documents are signed. Retirement-asset planning may require additional work and fees under the Standard and Premium packages.