Trust & Estate Planning
A Critical Component of a Strong Financial Plan
Having an estate plan—even a basic one that includes a will, health care proxy, and power of attorney—is a critical part of evaluating the strength of an individual’s overall financial picture. Estate planning is not just about wealth; it’s about clarity, protection, and ensuring your wishes are carried out if life takes an unexpected turn.
Life is unpredictable. Attempting to complete estate or trust planning after a major life event—such as illness, incapacity, or the death of a spouse—can create unnecessary stress and financial disruption for families. Proactive planning provides direction, reduces uncertainty, and protects loved ones during difficult times.
At our firm, trust and estate planning is integrated into our comprehensive financial planning process. We help clients define their goals, understand their options, and coordinate with estate attorneys to ensure legal documents accurately reflect their intentions.
Key Areas We Address in Trust and Estate Planning
When conducting trust and estate planning as part of a comprehensive financial plan, we commonly help clients evaluate and design strategies around:
Each of these components serves a different purpose, and not every strategy is appropriate for every family. The key is aligning the estate plan with the client’s financial reality and long-term objectives.
Why Financial Planning Comes Before Legal Drafting
While estate attorneys draft the legal documents, the financial plan often drives the structure of the estate plan.
Before legal documents are created, important questions must be answered, such as:
How much wealth is likely to remain at death?
Which assets should pass outright versus through trusts?
How should beneficiaries receive assets—and when?
What tax consequences may exist for heirs?
How should retirement accounts, insurance, and taxable assets be coordinated?
What protections are needed for spouses, children, or dependents?
Without this financial context, estate documents may be incomplete, inefficient, or misaligned with a family’s true goals.
Our role is to help clients clarify these decisions first, then collaborate with estate attorneys to ensure the legal structure supports the plan.
Trust Planning as a Strategic Tool
Trusts can play a powerful role in estate planning, but they are not “one-size-fits-all.”
Depending on a client’s situation, trusts may be used to:
Avoid probate and maintain privacy
Protect assets from long-term care costs
Control how and when heirs receive assets
Provide for a surviving spouse
Support children or beneficiaries with special needs
Reduce estate and income taxes
Facilitate charitable giving
Preserve wealth across generations
Selecting the appropriate trust structure requires careful analysis of assets, tax exposure, family dynamics, and long-term intentions.
Our Role in the Estate Planning Process
At Greenbush Financial Group, we:
Help clients define estate and legacy goals
Analyze assets, beneficiary designations, and tax exposure
Identify appropriate trust and planning strategies
Coordinate planning with estate attorneys
Ensure estate plans reflect financial realities
Review and update plans as laws, assets, and family circumstances change
By integrating trust and estate planning into the broader financial plan, we help ensure nothing is overlooked.
Our Trust & Estate Planning Articles
“I have worked with Greenbush Financial Group for several years. In addition to the traditional investment advice, they have helped me with tax and estate planning. I can’t say enough about Mike and his team. They listened to my particular needs and designed a plan specifically for me. I highly recommend them!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”
This testimonial provided for Greenbush Financial Group, LLC on Google Review was made by a client, and it was a non-paid review. This client was solicited by Greenbush Financial Group, LLC to provide the testimonial.
“Michael is very knowledgeable, professional and generous with his time. He gave me specific recommendations for estate planning in a tax-efficient manner. Thanks again!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”
This endorsement provided for Greenbush Financial Group, LLC on Google Review was made by a non-client, and it was a non-paid review. This non-client was solicited by Greenbush Financial Group, LLC to provide the endorsement.
“Thank you, Sir, for taking the time to make this video. So much valuable information given here, spot on! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Well done. I have an appointment coming up with an estate attorney, and this really helped me out.”
This endorsement provided for Greenbush Financial Group, LLC on YouTube was a non-solicited and non-paid comment by a non-client.
“Thank you for this invaluable information. This is the best video on living trusts that I have found.”
This endorsement provided for Greenbush Financial Group, LLC on YouTube was a non-solicited and non-paid comment by a non-client.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trusts & Estate Planning
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Do I really need an estate plan if my assets are modest?Yes. Even a basic estate plan—will, health care proxy, and power of attorney—provides clarity, avoids confusion, and ensures your wishes are followed.
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What is the difference between a will and a trust?A will outlines how assets pass at death and goes through probate. A trust can help avoid probate, provide control over distributions, and offer additional protections.
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Should I complete a financial plan before creating an estate plan?In most cases, yes. Financial planning helps determine asset levels, tax exposure, and distribution goals, which directly influence estate design.
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How can trusts help protect assets from long-term care costs?Certain irrevocable trusts, such as Medicaid trusts, may help protect assets when planned properly and well in advance of a care event.
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What happens if I don’t have a power of attorney or health care proxy?Without these documents, courts may need to appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf, which can be costly and time-consuming.
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How does estate planning help reduce taxes for heirs?Through trust structures, beneficiary planning, gifting strategies, and coordination with retirement accounts, estate planning can reduce taxes across generations.
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Is estate planning important if I’m married?Yes. Proper planning ensures assets transfer efficiently to a surviving spouse and later to heirs, while addressing tax and protection considerations.
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How often should an estate plan be reviewed?Estate plans should be reviewed every few years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death, or significant changes in assets or tax laws.
Contact Us . . . .
All of our services start with a complimentary consult. No high pressure sales tactics. We are financial planners, not salesmen.
About Our Firm: Greenbush Financial Group is an independent registered investment advisory firm based in Albany, New York, that provides four main services to clients: fee-based financial planning services, investment management, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and retirement planning services. The firm serves clients locally in the Albany region and virtually across the United States.
