Trusts funds used to be the realm of the wealthy, providing a tool to pass money to heirs and charities. Nowadays, though, they are becoming a means for more people to engage in smart estate planning.
Trusts are legal arrangements allowing you to put assets into accounts that benefit another person or an organization, like a charity or college. They are often complicated and require a lawyer to put together — although there are online alternatives if you want to attempt to do it yourself.
The basic idea is to control who gets your assets, either when you're alive or afterward. A trust can help you lower estate taxes and avoid probate, the often-arduous legal procedure that proves a will is valid.
First Steps. As you set up a trust, you need to settle a few key questions:
Beyond these considerations, it's wise to find a good, experienced estate attorney. The lawyer will craft a document called a declaration of trust, which will set up the trust fund and establish its conditions.
Timing. Next, the trust fund is registered with the IRS, allowing it to file its own tax returns and legally open financial accounts at banks or other institutions. Then, you transfer the assets into the trust, a process called retitling.
Do you want the trust to take effect now or at your death? And should it be revocable or irrevocable? The argument for revocable is that your beneficiary, perhaps a young person, may not grow into someone who deserves your generosity. The case for irrevocable is if you want to earmark the assets to support an activity whose necessity won't likely change, such as educating a child or supporting a charity.
The question of how long the trust will stay around, before its last assets are paid out, is a tricky one. Common law is structured against letting trusts persist indefinitely. But many states let you get around that by setting up a so-called dynasty trust, which permits the wealth to grow for a long time without being taxed.
Types of Trusts. Aside from whether the trust is revocable or not, its structure can be very complex and carry advantages and disadvantages. Some examples:
For you, the donor, creating a trust fund gives you peace of mind that the legacy you want to leave is well-constructed and wisely directed. This article is not intended as personal advice, but rather as an educational resource about planning techniques available when working with a financial professional.
This article was written by a professional financial journalist for Advisor Products and is not intended as legal or investment advice.
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