The Truth About Living Trusts

Just like a will, a revocable living trust is a written document that lets you direct how your property will pass after your death. Unlike a will, it also directs how you want your property managed during any disability.

 

To establish a trust, the person creating it (called the creator, grantor or settlor) writes a trust document and transfers property into the trust. The trust does not take effect until the creator transfers ownership of property to the trust. This transfer is known as “funding” the trust.

 

A living trust takes effect during the creator’s lifetime. Creators often name themselves as the initial trustee responsible for managing the trust. This allows the creator to keep control over the trust property during his or her lifetime.

A properly created living trust can be helpful if you need help managing assets during a disability (and a power of attorney won’t work), if you have children or grandchildren with special needs, or own real estate in more than one state. It is also just one of several ways to avoid going through probate. (Probate is the legal process to prove that a will is valid.)

 

If you think a living trust is for you, get advice from an estate planning attorney. You can call your

local bar association lawyer referral service for the name and phone number of an attorney who specializes in estate planning.

 

Living trusts are not the right estate planning tool for everyone. Several reasons you might consider a living trust are listed above. If you don’t fall into one of those categories, you might be better off with a will. Aggressive salespeople might try to convince you otherwise. But a qualified estate planning attorney can help you figure out what would work best for you.

 

AARP research shows that the greatest growth in sales of living trusts is to people who are least likely to need one. Living trusts are not the solution that salespeople make them out to be. Take your time. Do your homework. And learn to spot the scams.

There are several, unfortunately.

 

The claim: A living trust will preserve your legacy to your loved ones by helping you avoid probate

costs and estate taxes.

 

The truth: Most people don’t need to worry about probate or estate taxes. They’re often not as bad as salespeople say they are. Most living trusts aren’t designed to avoid estate taxes. And there many easier, cheaper ways to avoid probate than a living trust.

 

The claim: The living trust documents (or kit) sold by the salesperson are prepared by an attorney.

 

The truth: Pre-printed, generic forms are often passed off as custom-made documents. There is

often no attorney involved. The package may be overly expensive. The forms may not meet the

requirements of state law. And they often don’t include clear instructions on how to fund the trust.

Poorly drawn or unfunded trusts can cost you money and endanger your best intentions.

 

The claim: The free lunch time seminar will give you good, objective information on living trusts.