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Comprehensive Living Trusts Guide for Buellton Residents
If you live in Buellton and are considering a living trust as part of your estate planning, this page is written to help you understand what a living trust can do and how it can simplify the transfer of assets to your loved ones. A living trust is a legal arrangement that holds property during your lifetime and names who will receive it after you die. It can reduce the need for probate in Santa Barbara County, provide continuity in management of assets if you become incapacitated, and offer privacy since trust administration typically occurs outside of public probate records.
Choosing a living trust involves decisions about trustees, beneficiaries, and how assets are titled. Many Buellton residents create trusts to keep their affairs private and to provide a smoother transfer of real estate, bank accounts, investments, and personal property. A well-drafted living trust will include provisions for incapacity and successor management, and it can be tailored to reflect individual family circumstances. This guide outlines key concepts, terms, comparisons to other options, and the typical legal process so you can make an informed decision about whether a living trust is appropriate for your situation.
Why Living Trusts Matter for Buellton Families
Living trusts matter because they can reduce the time, cost, and public exposure commonly associated with probate proceedings in Santa Barbara County. A trust can provide immediate continuity by designating a successor trustee to manage assets if you become unable to act, and it allows the transfer of property to beneficiaries without the court-supervised probate process. For many families in Buellton, a living trust offers increased privacy, more straightforward management of out-of-state property, and the flexibility to include specific distribution instructions and protections for younger or vulnerable beneficiaries.
How Our Buellton Legal Team Supports Living Trust Planning
Our Buellton-based legal team focuses on helping local residents organize their affairs with clear, practical living trust documents and related estate planning instruments. We work closely with clients to identify goals, determine appropriate trustees and successor arrangements, and ensure assets are properly titled to match the trust plan. The goal is to craft documents that reflect each client’s values and family circumstances while minimizing administrative burdens for survivors. We emphasize clear communication, attention to detail, and step-by-step support during trust funding and implementation.
Understanding Living Trusts and How They Work
A living trust is a private arrangement that holds title to one or more assets for the benefit of named persons, with instructions for how those assets should be managed and distributed. The person who creates the trust typically serves as trustee during their lifetime and retains control over trust property, including the ability to change beneficiaries or revoke the trust if it is revocable. Upon incapacity or death, a successor trustee steps in to manage or distribute assets according to the trust’s terms, which can avoid the public probate process and provide a more direct transition for beneficiaries.
Living trusts are flexible and can be combined with complementary estate planning tools such as pour-over wills, durable powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Proper funding of the trust—retitling bank accounts, real property, and certain investment accounts into the trust—is essential to ensure that the trust functions as intended. Without funding, assets may still pass through probate or require additional steps to transfer. We explain the funding process, common funding pitfalls, and the practical steps Buellton residents should take to align asset ownership with their trust documents.
What a Living Trust Is and Common Variations
A living trust is a legal arrangement created during the grantor’s lifetime to hold and manage property for beneficiaries. There are revocable trusts, which allow the grantor to modify or revoke the trust while alive, and irrevocable trusts, which generally cannot be changed once established and may offer different tax or asset-protection characteristics. For many families in Buellton, a revocable living trust provides the flexibility to change plans as circumstances evolve while offering a practical mechanism to avoid administrative delays and keep family matters private after the grantor’s passing.
Key Components and Steps in Living Trust Planning
A living trust typically includes the identification of the grantor, trustee, successor trustee, and beneficiaries, along with detailed distribution instructions and provisions for incapacity. Critical steps include drafting the trust document, executing it according to state law, and funding the trust by transferring titles and account ownership into the trust name. Additional tasks may involve coordinating beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance, creating a pour-over will to capture unfunded assets, and documenting where key records and passwords are kept to allow a successor trustee to administer the trust effectively.
Key Terms and Glossary for Living Trusts
Understanding the common terms related to living trusts helps Buellton residents feel more confident when reviewing documents and making decisions. This glossary covers the primary roles such as grantor and trustee, core processes like funding, and related instruments like pour-over wills and powers of attorney. Familiarity with these terms will make conversations about planning more productive and reduce surprises later when the trust is administered. The following definitions are presented in plain language to help you quickly grasp their meaning and practical significance.
Grantor (Also Called Settlor or Trustmaker)
The grantor is the person who creates the living trust and transfers assets into it. As the initial trustee in many revocable trusts, the grantor keeps control over trust property and retains the power to change beneficiaries or revoke the trust. The grantor’s intentions shape the trust’s distribution plan, instructions for management during incapacity, and any special provisions for beneficiaries. For Buellton residents, naming clear successor arrangements and documenting assets intended for the trust helps ensure the grantor’s wishes are carried out smoothly.
Trust Funding
Funding a trust means retitling assets so they are owned by the trust rather than by the grantor individually. Common tasks include transferring real estate deeds, updating account ownership on bank and investment accounts, and changing titles for vehicles or business interests when appropriate. Proper funding is essential; an unfunded trust cannot control assets when the grantor dies, which can result in probate for those assets. Clear instructions and a funding checklist help Buellton families avoid common mistakes and ensure the trust achieves its intended purpose.
Successor Trustee
A successor trustee is the person or entity designated to manage the trust and carry out its terms if the original trustee is unable to act due to incapacity or death. Choosing a successor requires consideration of trust administration skills, availability, and the ability to act impartially for beneficiaries. Often a family member, trusted friend, or professional fiduciary will serve in this role. The successor trustee’s responsibilities include identifying trust assets, paying valid debts, and distributing property according to the trust’s instructions while keeping accurate records for beneficiaries and any required reporting.
Pour-Over Will
A pour-over will is a complementary document used alongside a living trust to capture any assets that were not funded into the trust during the grantor’s lifetime. The pour-over will direct leftover probate assets into the trust so they are eventually governed by the trust’s terms, although those assets may still pass through the probate process before being transferred. Including a pour-over will as part of an estate plan gives Buellton residents an additional safety net to help ensure that their intended trust distributions apply to all of their property.
Comparing Living Trusts with Other Estate Planning Options
When deciding between a living trust and alternative estate planning tools, consider how each option affects privacy, probate exposure, and management during incapacity. Wills are simple and useful for appointing guardians and directing distributions, but they typically require probate administration. Joint ownership can transfer property directly but may have tax and control consequences. Advanced directives and powers of attorney handle health care and financial decisions during incapacity but do not distribute assets at death. Reviewing these options side by side makes it easier to choose a solution that fits your family’s needs and reduces administrative burdens after you are gone.
When a Simple Will or Limited Plan May Be Sufficient:
Small Estate with Clear Beneficiaries
A simple will or basic estate plan may be suitable if your estate is small, assets are straightforward to transfer, and beneficiaries are clear and family relationships are uncomplicated. In these circumstances, the administrative burden of probate may be manageable and the additional steps involved in creating and funding a living trust might not provide enough benefit to justify the effort. For Buellton residents with modest holdings and uncomplicated wishes, a limited plan can provide clear distribution instructions without unnecessary complexity and still ensure that loved ones receive intended property.
Primary Goal Is Parental Designations
If your primary estate planning goals are to name guardians for minor children and specify basic distribution preferences, a will combined with durable powers of attorney may meet your needs. These documents allow you to designate who will care for dependents and who will make financial and health decisions if you are unable to do so. For some families in Buellton, addressing these immediate concerns without establishing a living trust strikes the right balance between preparedness and simplicity while still giving parents reassurance that their wishes will be followed.
When a Complete Living Trust Plan Is Advisable:
Avoiding Probate and Ensuring Privacy
A comprehensive living trust plan is often recommended when avoiding probate and protecting family privacy are priorities. Trust administration generally occurs outside of the public court system, which helps keep asset details and distributions private. For property owners in Buellton with real estate, out-of-state assets, or a desire to minimize court involvement after death, a living trust provides a structured way to transfer assets directly to beneficiaries and reduce delays that can arise in probate proceedings while preserving control over how property is managed and distributed.
Planning for Incapacity and Complex Family Situations
When there is concern about potential incapacity, blended family issues, or beneficiaries with special needs, a comprehensive trust arrangement offers detailed mechanisms to protect long-term interests and manage distributions over time. Trust provisions can set terms for distributions, appoint trusted successor trustees, and include safeguards for minors or individuals with limited financial experience. For Buellton families facing these complexities, establishing a living trust provides a clear framework for continuity of management and distribution that aligns with long-term family goals.
Benefits of a Thorough Living Trust Plan
A well-constructed living trust can reduce delays for beneficiaries, minimize public exposure of asset information, and create an orderly path for managing affairs if the grantor becomes incapacitated. It allows for tailored distribution schedules, conditions, or protections for beneficiaries, and can be coordinated with other documents like powers of attorney and health care directives. By thinking through the range of possible future scenarios, Buellton residents can create plans that provide clarity and continuity for family members when decisions must be made quickly or during times of grief.
Comprehensive planning also helps avoid common pitfalls such as failing to fund the trust, overlooking beneficiary designations, or leaving ambiguous instructions that create disputes. Clear records and properly executed transfer documents reduce the administrative work required of successor trustees and decrease the risk of costly errors. The result is a smoother transition that respects the grantor’s wishes and reduces stress for family members who will manage or receive assets after the grantor’s death.
Privacy and Reduced Court Involvement
One of the primary advantages of a living trust is that its administration generally occurs outside the public probate system, which helps maintain privacy about the family’s assets, beneficiaries, and distribution amounts. This can reduce potential disagreements and unwanted scrutiny by keeping details confidential. For residents of Buellton who value discretion, a living trust provides a private framework for transferring assets while still ensuring that distributions occur under the terms the grantor set, with successor trustees carrying out those instructions quietly and efficiently.
Continuity of Management During Incapacity
A living trust allows for an immediate successor trustee to step in and manage trust assets if the grantor becomes incapacitated, avoiding the need for a court-appointed conservator and the delays that process can involve. This continuity is particularly helpful for ongoing financial obligations, property management, or business interests that require timely decisions. For Buellton individuals with active property holdings or complex financial affairs, having a clear succession plan in the trust documents helps protect assets and ensures that day-to-day matters continue to be handled without interruption.
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Practical Tips for Setting Up a Living Trust
Start with a Clear Inventory of Assets
Begin by creating a comprehensive list of your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, business interests, and valuable personal property. Note account numbers, titles, locations of deeds, and beneficiary designations. This inventory forms the foundation for funding a trust and ensures nothing is overlooked. For Buellton residents, including local property details and any out-of-area holdings helps avoid surprises and makes the process of transferring ownership into the trust more efficient and effective for the successor trustee.
Consider Successor Trustee Choices Carefully
Keep Beneficiary Designations and Trust Documents Coordinated
Review and update beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and payable-on-death accounts to make sure they align with your trust plan. Inconsistent designations can lead to assets passing outside the trust and potentially through probate. Maintain up-to-date trust documents and store copies where your successor trustee can access them. Regular reviews, especially after major life events like marriage, divorce, births, or significant changes in assets, help ensure the trust reflects current intentions and that distributions occur according to your wishes.
Reasons Buellton Residents Consider a Living Trust
Residents choose living trusts for a variety of personal and practical reasons, including avoiding probate delays, maintaining family privacy, easing management during incapacity, and providing tailored distribution plans for beneficiaries. Trusts can be particularly helpful for those with real estate, properties in multiple states, or family members who may need managed distributions over time. Having a trust in place can relieve loved ones of administrative burdens and provide a clear roadmap for how assets should be handled and distributed, reducing the potential for conflict during a difficult period.
A living trust also offers flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances while ensuring continuity of management and distribution. It can be modified or revoked if circumstances change when the trust is revocable, and it can include specific provisions to protect minor beneficiaries or provide ongoing support. For many Buellton families, establishing a trust brings peace of mind by documenting intentions clearly and giving family members a streamlined process to follow when trust administration is necessary.
Common Situations Where a Living Trust Is Helpful
Typical circumstances that lead people to establish a living trust include owning residential property, holding assets in more than one state, wanting to avoid probate publicity, needing a plan for incapacity, or seeking structured distributions for younger beneficiaries. Additionally, business owners and those with complex family structures often use trusts to provide clarity and continuity. If you have any of these concerns, a living trust can be an effective part of a broader estate plan that addresses both immediate and long-term family needs while minimizing administrative burdens.
Ownership of Real Estate
If you own real estate in Buellton or elsewhere, a living trust can ease the transfer process to heirs and reduce the likelihood that property will require probate administration after your death. Transferring real estate into the trust before death helps ensure that title passes according to the trust terms, and it can be particularly helpful for properties located outside of Santa Barbara County by centralizing management and clarifying successor responsibilities.
Desire for Privacy
Families who prefer to keep the details of their estate and distributions private often opt for a living trust because trust administration generally occurs outside of public probate records. This privacy can prevent unnecessary public disclosure of asset values and beneficiary information, which some families find important for personal or security reasons. A trust helps maintain discretion while still providing a legally enforceable plan for managing and distributing assets according to the grantor’s wishes.
Planning for Incapacity
A living trust provides a mechanism for management of financial affairs if the grantor becomes incapacitated by appointing a successor trustee to act on behalf of the grantor. This arrangement avoids the need for a court-appointed conservatorship and enables timely handling of bills, property maintenance, and decisions related to investments or business interests. Having this plan in place can reduce stress for family members and provide continuity when the grantor cannot manage their own affairs.
We’re Here to Help Buellton Families with Living Trusts
Why Choose Our Firm for Living Trust Planning
Clients rely on our firm for thoughtful, practical living trust planning that addresses both immediate needs and long-term family goals. We emphasize clear communication, careful drafting, and thorough funding checklists to reduce the risk of avoidable errors. By guiding clients through each step—asset inventory, document preparation, execution, and funding—we help ensure the trust performs as intended and that successor trustees have the information needed to act efficiently on behalf of beneficiaries.
Our approach begins with listening to your priorities and then tailoring trust provisions that reflect those priorities while simplifying administration for your loved ones. We explain trade-offs between different planning choices, coordinate related documents like powers of attorney and pour-over wills, and provide practical guidance on titling and beneficiary designations. This comprehensive review reduces surprises and increases the likelihood that your estate plan will operate seamlessly when it is needed most.
We also provide ongoing support for clients who need assistance updating plans after major life changes or who have questions about managing or funding their trust. Regular reviews help keep documents aligned with shifting circumstances and asset portfolios. The goal is to create a clear, durable plan that helps Buellton families preserve assets, care for loved ones, and provide a straightforward path forward for trustees and beneficiaries.
Contact Our Buellton Office to Discuss Living Trust Options
How the Living Trust Process Works at Our Firm
Our process typically begins with an initial consultation to review your goals, family circumstances, and asset inventory. From there we draft trust documents tailored to your needs, coordinate execution according to California law, and provide a funding checklist and guidance to transfer assets into the trust. We remain available to address questions during funding and afterward, and we can assist successor trustees with administrative tasks when the trust becomes operative. The aim is a smooth, well-documented plan that minimizes later complications.
Step 1 — Initial Consultation and Planning
During the initial meeting we gather information about your assets, family dynamics, and primary objectives for the trust. We discuss choices for trustees and beneficiaries, timing for distributions, and any special considerations such as minor beneficiaries, blended family arrangements, or out-of-state property. This planning conversation helps us recommend trust terms that reflect your priorities and prepares a checklist of records and documents needed to complete the trust and fund it properly.
Gathering Asset Information
We assist you in creating a thorough inventory of accounts, deeds, policies, and other assets to be included in the trust. Accurate identification of titles, account numbers, and beneficiary designations is essential for effective funding. Having a complete inventory at the outset reduces delays and helps ensure the trust will cover the intended property without leaving assets subject to probate or requiring additional corrective steps later on.
Identifying Trust Goals and Beneficiary Instructions
In this phase we clarify distribution intentions, timing, and any conditions or protective measures you want included in the trust. This might include staggered distributions for younger beneficiaries, provisions for education expenses, or instructions for handling closely held business interests. Defining these goals clearly helps us draft provisions that align with your wishes and anticipate potential administration challenges, resulting in a more usable and reliable trust document for your family.
Step 2 — Drafting and Execution
Once planning is complete, we prepare the trust document and any accompanying wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives. We review the draft with you, make necessary adjustments, and arrange for proper signing and notarization to meet California requirements. Execution is followed by documentation and storage recommendations so your successor trustee will know where to find the trust and related papers when needed. Clear execution reduces the risk of challenges and helps ensure the plan is legally enforceable.
Review and Client Approval
We walk through the trust document with you in detail so you understand each provision and how it functions. This review provides an opportunity to fine-tune distributions, trustee powers, and incapacity provisions, ensuring the trust reflects your current intentions. Confirming client approval and documenting any special instructions at this stage prevents misunderstandings later and creates a clear record of the grantor’s decisions for successor trustees and beneficiaries.
Execution Formalities and Notarization
Proper signing, witnessing, and notarization are important to make the trust legally valid and enforceable in California. We coordinate the execution meeting to ensure all formalities are met and provide guidance on storing original documents securely. We also prepare copies and explanatory summaries for your chosen successor trustee so they have the information needed to act promptly if necessary, reducing potential delays or confusion in trust administration.
Step 3 — Funding and Ongoing Review
After execution, funding the trust completes the implementation by transferring titles or updating account ownership consistent with the trust terms. We provide a funding checklist tailored to your asset types and can assist with deed preparation, beneficiary updates, and coordination with financial institutions. We also recommend periodic reviews to account for changes in assets, family circumstances, or relevant law so your trust continues to reflect current intentions and operates smoothly when it is needed.
Retitling Real Property and Accounts
We guide you through the steps to retitle real estate into the trust, update account ownership, and confirm beneficiary designations align with the trust plan. Proper documentation and filing of deeds for Buellton properties are essential to avoid accidental probate exposure. Ensuring these changes are completed and recorded helps the successor trustee administer trust assets without additional legal hurdles and protects your intended distribution plan.
Ongoing Updates and Maintenance
Life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or major financial changes can affect your estate plan. We recommend periodic reviews to update the trust and related documents accordingly, keeping beneficiary designations and asset lists current. Regular maintenance preserves the effectiveness of the trust and prevents unintended outcomes, ensuring that the trust remains aligned with your intentions and the needs of your family over time.
The Proof is in Our Performance
Frequently Asked Questions About Living Trusts
What is the difference between a trust and a will?
What is the main difference between a will and a living trust? A will is a document that directs how probate assets are distributed and can appoint guardians for minor children, but it generally must go through probate to effectuate those distributions. A living trust, by contrast, holds title to assets and allows them to pass to beneficiaries according to the trust terms without undergoing the typical probate process, offering greater privacy and potentially quicker distribution. How do I know if a living trust is right for me? Consider whether you own real estate, have assets in multiple states, want to avoid probate publicity, or want clear arrangements for management during incapacity. Many Buellton residents who prioritize privacy and continuity of management choose a living trust, while others with simple estates may find a will and basic documents sufficient.
What are the benefits of a living trust in Buellton?
Do I have to transfer all of my assets into the trust? To get the full benefit of a living trust, key assets such as real property, bank accounts, and investment accounts should be retitled into the trust or otherwise coordinated with trust terms. Assets not transferred into the trust may still be subject to probate or require separate steps to pass to beneficiaries. A funding checklist helps identify which assets to retitle and ensures the trust functions as intended. What about retirement accounts and life insurance? Retirement accounts and life insurance often have beneficiary designations that supersede a trust unless the account owner names the trust as beneficiary. Choosing beneficiaries and aligning designations with the trust plan is an important step to avoid unintended outcomes and ensure the trust governs distributions when appropriate.
How is a living trust created in California?
Can a living trust be changed after it is created? Many living trusts are revocable, which means the grantor can modify or revoke them while alive, allowing flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. Revocable trusts provide the freedom to update beneficiaries, trustees, or distribution terms as life events occur. Irrevocable trusts, however, generally cannot be changed and are used for different planning goals, so the choice depends on the desired balance between control and permanence. What happens if I become incapacitated? A properly drafted living trust includes provisions for incapacity and names a successor trustee who can step in to manage trust assets. This arrangement avoids the need for a court-appointed conservatorship and provides a seamless transition for management of finances and property while preserving the trustmaker’s intentions.
What are the tax implications of a living trust?
Will a living trust save money on taxes? A revocable living trust typically does not change federal or state income tax treatment during the grantor’s lifetime, as the grantor remains responsible for taxes on trust income. The trust may, however, be part of a broader tax planning strategy, especially if combined with other estate planning tools. For certain irrevocable trusts, different tax considerations may apply, so it is important to discuss your specific financial situation to understand potential tax implications. Should I name a professional as successor trustee? Many people name a trusted family member, friend, or a professional fiduciary as successor trustee depending on the complexity of the estate and the abilities of the proposed trustee. A professional can offer neutrality and administrative experience, while a family member may have personal knowledge of family circumstances. Discussing the options helps identify the best fit for your situation.
When should I consider creating a living trust?
How long does it take to set up a living trust? The time to prepare a living trust varies depending on the complexity of your assets and the need for related documents, but summary planning and drafting often take a few weeks once all necessary information is collected. Funding the trust can take additional time as deeds are recorded and financial institutions update ownership records. A clear asset inventory and timely responses help move the process along efficiently. What documents should I bring to the initial meeting? Bring a list of assets, copies of deeds, recent account statements, any existing estate planning documents, and contact information for people you may wish to name as trustees or beneficiaries. Providing this information at the start makes the planning conversation more productive and helps create accurate documents that reflect your goals.
What role does a trustee play in a living trust?
Will my family still have to go to court after I die if I have a living trust? Properly funded living trusts generally avoid probate for assets held in the trust, which reduces or eliminates the need for court involvement for those assets. However, assets not placed in the trust or assets with conflicting beneficiary designations may still require probate. A pour-over will can capture leftover assets and transfer them into the trust, though those assets may pass through probate first. Can a trust be contested? Like other estate planning documents, trusts can be subject to legal challenges under certain circumstances. Clear documentation, careful execution, and sound planning can reduce the likelihood of disputes. Periodic reviews and consistent recordkeeping help demonstrate the trustmaker’s intentions and support the enforceability of the trust terms.
What is a successor trustee and what do they do?
What are the duties of a successor trustee? The successor trustee is responsible for locating trust assets, paying valid debts and taxes, managing property during administration, and distributing assets according to the trust’s terms. The trustee must act in the best interests of beneficiaries, keep accurate records, and communicate with beneficiaries about the administration process. Choosing someone who can handle these obligations and documenting clear instructions in the trust can simplify the role for the person stepping into the position. Do trustees get paid for their service? California law allows trustees to receive reasonable compensation for their services unless the trust document states otherwise. Whether a trustee accepts compensation is a personal decision and may depend on the complexity of administration. Discussing compensation provisions in advance helps set expectations and avoid misunderstandings among family members.
What are the steps to establish a living trust?
Are living trusts private after death? Trust administration generally occurs outside of the public probate process, so details of asset transfers and beneficiary distributions remain private, unlike wills that become public record during probate. This privacy can be important to families who prefer to keep their financial affairs confidential. Keeping organized records and informing the successor trustee where documents are stored further supports private administration when the time comes. Does a trust protect assets from creditors? Revocable living trusts typically do not shield assets from the grantor’s creditors during the grantor’s lifetime, since the grantor retains control of the assets. Different types of irrevocable trusts may offer creditor protection under certain circumstances, but they come with different tax and control implications. Careful planning is needed to align asset protection goals with other estate planning objectives.
How do I choose the right trustee for my trust?
How often should I review my living trust? It is wise to review your living trust after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, significant asset changes, or moves to a different state. Periodic reviews every few years also help ensure the plan continues to reflect your intentions and complies with any changes in law that may affect administration. Regular maintenance prevents unintended outcomes and keeps beneficiary designations and titling aligned with the trust. Can I create a living trust on my own? While some people use templates, creating a living trust without professional guidance increases the risk of drafting or funding errors that can undermine the plan. Working with a legal professional helps ensure the trust meets legal requirements, is properly funded, and coordinates with related documents, reducing the chance that beneficiaries will face avoidable delays or disputes.
What happens to my living trust if I move out of Buellton?
What if I move out of California after setting up a living trust? Moving to a different state may affect how your trust operates, particularly regarding state-specific laws and recording requirements for real estate. It is advisable to review the trust after relocating to ensure it remains compatible with the new state’s rules and to update any provisions if necessary. Periodic reviews after a move help maintain the trust’s effectiveness and prevent potential administrative complications for successor trustees. How do I get started? Begin by creating an asset inventory and identifying primary goals for your plan. Reach out to a local Buellton legal team to discuss options, review draft documents, and develop a practical funding plan. Early planning and organized documentation make implementation smoother and give you confidence that your wishes will be honored.