Mastering Revocable Living Trusts from Start to Signature: Conducting Consultations, Customizing Clauses, Drafting with Clarity, and Navigating Ethical Duties

Ronald Fatoullah | Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP

Ronald Fatoullah chairs the firm’s Elder Law Practice Group and is a Partner in the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group. Prior to joining the firm, he was the founder and principal of Ronald Fatoullah & Associates for over 35 years, a firm perennially recognized as one of New York’s top Elder Law and Estate Planning firms. He has dedicated his career to advising New Yorkers about the legal and financial challenges of aging and is highly regarded for his expertise in estate planning and administration, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, wills and trusts, probate, guardianships, and estate and guardianship litigation. He is a certified elder law attorney and a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the highest honor bestowed by the organization.

• Education & Credentials

Ronald is a certified elder law attorney and a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the highest honor bestowed by the organization.

• Recognition & Leadership

Ronald has been honored by many organizations for his achievements and contributions to the senior community. He has been quoted in The New York Times, Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, the New York Law Journal, and Kiplinger’s, and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs. He chaired the Executive Committee of the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association’s Financial Planning and Investments Committee, chaired the Board of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Long Island Chapter for over ten years, and served on the Executive Council of AARP New York.

• Professional Involvement

Ronald lectures frequently on elder law, estate planning, and aging and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs. He has been honored by many organizations for his achievements and contributions to the senior community.

• Experience

Ronald’s practice encompasses estate planning and administration, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, wills and trusts, probate, guardianships, and estate and guardianship litigation. For over 35 years, he served as the founder and principal of Ronald Fatoullah & Associates, one of New York’s top Elder Law and Estate Planning firms, before joining Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP.

Debby Rosenfeld | Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP

Debby Rosenfeld is Counsel to the firm’s Trusts & Estates and Elder Law Practice Groups. Prior to joining the firm, she spent 20 years at Ronald Fatoullah & Associates practicing in the areas of elder law, estate planning, and real estate. Before her time at Ronald Fatoullah & Associates, Debby was a tax attorney. She lectures publicly and privately and has published articles on various elder law issues for both attorneys and laypeople.

• Education & Credentials

Debby is admitted to the New York State Bar and is a member of the New York State and Nassau County Bar Associations.

• Professional Involvement

Debby lectures publicly and privately and has published articles on various elder law issues for both attorneys and laypeople.

• Experience

Debby’s practice spans elder law, estate planning, and real estate, developed over 20 years at Ronald Fatoullah & Associates and furthered in her current role as Counsel to the Trusts & Estates and Elder Law Practice Groups at Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP. Prior to her elder law practice, she worked as a tax attorney.

Paloma Holloman | PHM Law, LLC

Paloma Holloman is an estate planning and probate attorney at PHM Law, LLC, her firm located in Warrenville, Illinois. She engages a diverse clientele, representing estates of all sizes and complexities. She has taught college courses on estate planning and administration and legal ethics, and is a member of the Fox Valley Estate Planning Council. In 2025, she was the recipient of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Young Lawyer of the Year Award outside of Cook County.

• Education & Credentials

Paloma attended John Marshall Law School where she earned her Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Estate Planning.

• Recognition & Leadership

In 2025, Paloma was the recipient of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Young Lawyer of the Year Award outside of Cook County.

• Professional Involvement

Paloma serves on the Illinois State Bar Association’s Assembly, Trusts & Estates Section Council, Diversity Leadership Council, and Standing Committee on Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law. She is the past chair of the DuPage County Bar Association’s Elder Law Section and currently serves on the Judicial Evaluations Committee. She is a member of the Fox Valley Estate Planning Council.

• Experience

Paloma’s practice at PHM Law, LLC focuses on estate planning and probate, representing estates of all sizes and complexities. She has taught college courses on estate planning and administration and legal ethics.

SESSION 1 – Foundational Skills in Trust Planning | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

This session covers how to conduct effective client consultations, identify goals and intent, prepare a comprehensive asset inventory, and evaluate whether a revocable living trust is the right planning vehicle, including long-term care, probate, creditor, and estate tax considerations.

BREAK | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

SESSION 2 – Drafting Essentials and Customization | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

This session outlines core trust provisions, the differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts and between trusts and wills, the key roles in trust formation, and how to draft and review special clauses protecting retirement assets, special needs beneficiaries, minors, and spendthrift family members.

BREAK | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

SESSION 3 – Ethical Considerations for Drafting, Executing, and Maintaining Trusts | 3:20pm – 4:20pm

This session explores the ethical duties of estate planning practitioners throughout the trust drafting and funding process, covering Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.7, 1.8(c), 1.14, and 5.5, supplemental transfer documents, asset funding compliance, and ongoing trust maintenance obligations.