Opening a living trust is an essential option in estate planning. By understanding the different types of living trusts and the opportunities they provide, you may be inspired to open one. Read on for everything you need to know about living trusts.
What is a living trust?
A living trust is a type of trust created and funded while the grantor is alive.
The primary purposes of a living trust are:
- To manage and distribute assets and trust property to named beneficiaries without probate court involvement.
- To provide a smooth transfer of assets to named beneficiaries in the event of the grantor’s incapacity.
- To provide financial stability to family members through assets.
Related: What Is a Trust Fund and How Do They Work?
What types of living trusts are available?
There are several types of living trusts, each with unique features and benefits. However, the two main types of living trusts are revocable living trusts and irrevocable living trusts. Read below for more information.
Revocable living trusts
A revocable living trust is a trust that can be amended or revoked by the grantor at any time during their lifetime. This type of trust provides flexibility and allows the grantor to change the trust as their circumstances change.
A revocable living trust can be a helpful estate planning tool, as it can avoid probate, provide privacy and allow for the management of assets if the grantor becomes incapacitated.
Irrevocable living trusts
An irrevocable living trust is a trust that cannot be amended or revoked once established. This type of trust is often used for tax planning or asset protection purposes.
While the grantor cannot make changes to the trust, they can still receive income from the trust and use the assets in the trust for their benefit during their lifetime.
Related: A Succession Plan Can Protect You, Your Family, and Your Employees. Here’s How.
Who are the key players in the living trust process?
There are four key players in the living trust process, which include:
- Grantor: The grantor establishes the living trust and transfers ownership of their assets to the trust. The grantor may also act as the initial trustee, retaining full control over the trust assets and making decisions about how they are managed and invested.
- Trustee: The trustee is responsible for managing and investing the trust assets and distributing them to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust document. The grantor may serve as the initial trustee but can also appoint a successor trustee to take over in the event of their incapacity or death.
- Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries are the individuals or organizations named in the trust document who will receive the benefits of the trust. The named beneficiaries may receive income from the trust assets or an outright distribution of the assets.
- Attorney: An attorney can be involved in the living trust process by drafting the trust document and providing legal advice to the grantor on legal and tax issues related to the trust.
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How do living trusts work?
Living trusts work by transferring ownership of assets from the grantor to the trustee or co-trustee by a process that will generally follow these steps:
- Asset transfer: The grantor transfers ownership of their assets, such as real estate, bank accounts and stocks, into the trust.
- Trust agreement: The grantor creates a living trust document, which outlines the trust terms and the trustee’s responsibilities. The trust agreement should specify the purposes for which the assets in the trust will get used and how the assets will be managed and distributed after the grantor’s death.
- Trustee: The grantor selects a trustee responsible for managing the assets in the trust. The trustee must follow the terms of the trust agreement and act in the best interests of the beneficiaries.
- Beneficiaries: The grantor selects one or more beneficiaries who will receive the assets in the trust after the grantor’s death. The trust agreement specifies when and how the assets will be distributed to the beneficiaries.
- Management of assets: During the grantor’s lifetime, the trustee manages the assets in the trust according to the terms of the trust agreement. This may involve investing the assets, paying bills and making distributions to the beneficiaries.
- Transfer of assets: After the grantor’s death, the assets in the trust are transferred to the beneficiaries without going through probate court.
Related: 5 Ways to Professionally Manage Your Financial Assets
How is a living trust different from a will?
A will is a legal document that specifies how a person’s assets will be distributed after their death and can be used to appoint a guardian for minor children. A will only takes effect after the person’s death.
In contrast, a trust is a legal arrangement in which a trustee holds and manages assets for the benefit of the trust’s beneficiaries.
With a living trust, the grantor transfers ownership of their assets to the trust while they are still alive, and the trust’s terms dictate how the assets will be distributed after the grantor’s death.
Why do people open living trusts?
There are several reasons people choose to open living trusts. Keep reading for more information on those reasons.
To avoid probate
Probate is the legal process that occurs after a person dies, during which the court oversees the distribution of the deceased person’s assets.
By establishing a living trust, the assets in the trust pass directly to the beneficiaries named in the trust document without the need for probate court.
To continue control over asset management
A living trust allows the grantor to retain control over the management and distribution of their assets during their lifetime. The grantor can act as the initial trustee, making decisions about how the assets are invested and managed, and they can change the terms of the trust at any time.
To transfer assets in the event of incapacity
In the event of the grantor’s incapacity, the successor trustee named in the trust document would take over the management of the trust and make decisions about the assets on behalf of the grantor.
This can help ensure a smooth transition of assets to the named beneficiaries and avoid needing a court-appointed guardian or conservator.
To ensure privacy
Because it provides more privacy than a will, individuals with significant assets or those who wish to keep their financial affairs private have more options and avenues to keep their information confidential instead of on the public record.
To plan for estate taxes
You can use a living trust as a tool for estate tax planning, as certain types of trusts can be structured to minimize estate federal estate tax liability.
This can help to preserve the value of the grantor’s assets for their beneficiaries and minimize the impact of estate taxes on the overall estate.
To plan for loved ones with special needs
For a beneficiary with special needs, living trusts allow for the management of assets for their benefit without affecting their eligibility for government benefits.
To avoid contest
A well-drafted living trust can help avoid contests over a grantor’s assets, as it spells out the grantor’s wishes for the distribution of their assets.
This can help reduce the likelihood of disputes among named beneficiaries and ensure that the grantor’s wishes are respected.
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Who can open a living trust?
Anyone with mental and financial capacity can open a living trust. There is no age requirement, although it is typically more common for older individuals to establish a living trust.
To open a living trust, you must have assets to transfer into the trust and have a clear understanding of your goals for the trust.
It is essential to consult with an attorney or a financial advisor when considering a living trust, as they can help you determine whether a living trust is appropriate for your situation and provide guidance on the legal and financial considerations involved in establishing a trust.
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What assets can be put in a living trust?
You can transfer most types of assets into a living trust.
Some common assets you can put into a living trust include:
- Real estate: primary residence, vacation homes, rental properties and land.
- Bank accounts: checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts.
- Investment accounts: stocks, bonds, mutual funds and retirement accounts such as 401(k)s or Roth IRAs.
- Business interests: partnerships, limited liability companies and closely held corporations.
- Personal property: jewelry, art, collectibles and other valuable items.
- Life insurance policies: whole life and term life insurance policies.
- Vehicles: cars, trucks, boats and airplanes.
Related: 5 Ways Business Owners Can Use Trusts to Benefit Their Company
What are the pros and cons of a living trust?
A living trust can be a helpful estate planning tool, but it is essential to consider the pros and cons before deciding.
Pros of a living trust
- Avoids probate: A living trust can avoid probate, the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s assets to their heirs. Probate can be time-consuming, expensive and public, while a living trust can help avoid these drawbacks.
- Privacy: A living trust provides privacy, as the terms of the trust and the assets in the trust are not a matter of public record.
- Assets management in incapacity: If the grantor becomes incapacitated, the assets in the trust can be managed by a successor trustee without the need for a court-appointed guardian or conservator.
- Control over the disposition of assets: The grantor can dictate how their assets will be managed via the trust’s terms after death.
- Flexibility: A revocable living trust can be amended or revoked at any time by the grantor, allowing for changes in their circumstances.
Cons of a living trust
- Cost: The cost of establishing a living trust can be substantial, including attorney fees, trustee fees and the costs of transferring assets into the trust.
- Complexity: A living trust can be a complex legal document. Working with an attorney with experience with living trusts is vital to ensure the trust is properly established and funded.
- Ongoing maintenance: A living trust requires constant maintenance, including annual tax filings, the appointment of a successor trustee and periodic reviews of the trust’s terms.
- Permanence: Once an irrevocable trust is established, it cannot be amended or revoked. This lack of flexibility can be a drawback for some people.
- Transferring assets into the trust: Transferring assets into the trust can be a time-consuming and complicated process, and it is crucial to work with an attorney to ensure that all necessary steps are taken.
Related: Why is Estate Planning More Important Now Than Ever Before?
How can you open a living trust?
Depending on goals and resources, everyone’s trust-opening process will vary slightly.
However, here is a general step-by-step process for opening a trust.
- Determine your estate planning goals.
- Consult with an estate planning attorney.
- Choose the type of living trust.
- Gather information about your assets.
- Choose a trustee.
- Transfer assets to the trust.
- Prepare the trust agreement.
- Sign the trust agreement.
- Fund the trust.
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What do you need to know about living trusts?
A living trust is a valuable tool for estate planning, as it can benefit beneficiaries.
By transferring ownership of assets to the trust while you’re still alive, you can ensure that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes without the time and expense of the probate process.
If you think you are ready to set up a living trust, be sure to work with an estate planning attorney or financial advisor to determine the best type of trust for your needs and goals.
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