Why Is an Estate Plan Important?
Use of a Living Trust
What is a Living Trust?
What is a living trust, and what kind of protection does it offer? The article “An important part of protecting your assets and those you love” from The Times explains how this estate planning tool works.
A living trust is a legal entity created to make it easier to transfer assets like real estate property and other assets after death. Assets held within trusts pass directly to beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust. They do not go through probate.
Funding the Trust
Once a trust is created, it must be funded, which places assets within the protection of the trust. These can include bank accounts, investments, real estate, vehicles, jewelry and other personal property of value.
Trustee and Successor Trustee
Protection of Real Estate Properties
Bypass Probate
Probate can take a long time. During that time, a building needs to be maintained, property taxes must be paid and insurance coverage needs to continue. Making changes to the property or even renting it out during probate may require permission from the court. If an expensive repair needs to be made, like a heating system or a new roof, and the estate is still in probate, someone has to make sure the repairs are done and pay for them.
Certain assets pass directly to beneficiaries. These include life insurance proceeds, Pay on Death (POD) bank accounts and retirement accounts, like IRAs and 401(k)s. Others, like the family home and personal property, could be bound up in probate for months, or years.
A living trust does more than bypass probate. It allows you to declare how you want your assets to be distributed and when. If you don’t want your children to receive a lot of money in one lump sum at a young age, it can break out the distribution over decades. A trust can also set life goals, like graduating from college, before funds are released.
Difference between a Living Trust and a Will
Probate Control
Assets without a Surviving Joint Owner
Conclusion

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About Attorney Benjamin Long
Benjamin Long is the founding attorney of Schlagel Long, LLC, a law firm based in Olathe, Kansas that focuses on estate planning, probate, and trust law. With more than a decade of experience, Benjamin helps individuals and families protect their assets, preserve their legacy, and avoid unnecessary court involvement through tailored estate plans.
In his practice, Benjamin emphasizes the value of living trusts to simplify asset transfers, reduce conflict, and ensure privacy. He works closely with clients to craft strategies that keep families out of probate court and in control of how their assets are managed and distributed. Whether you need a trust to protect your real estate, want to structure distributions to young heirs, or simply want peace of mind knowing your wishes will be honored, Benjamin brings both legal knowledge and personal attention to every plan.
Benjamin earned his law degree from Washburn University School of Law, where he was awarded a Certificate in Advocacy and inducted into the Order of the Barristers for excellence in oral and written advocacy. He also holds a B.S. in Biology from Kansas State University. His legal background includes not only estate planning but also litigation involving trusts, fiduciary duties, and probate disputes—giving him the insight to design plans that stand up in and out of court.
He is licensed to practice in Kansas and the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, and is a member of the American, Kansas, and Johnson County Bar Associations. Recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and recipient of the Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award, Benjamin is committed to providing reliable and informed legal guidance.
Outside the office, Benjamin serves as an adjunct professor at Washburn Law and coaches the Kansas State University Mock Trial Team. He lives in Olathe with his wife, Dr. Andra Long, and their two daughters.
If you’re ready to take control of your estate and protect your family’s future, Benjamin is here to help you do it the right way.
