What is a Living Trust?

A living trust is one of the most prevalent estate planning tools in use today. Most people use a living trust instead of a will to avoid probate, a court-supervised process for transferring assets to the beneficiaries listed in your will, which can be expensive and exposes your estate to public record. A living will does not avoid the estate tax but makes the settlement process much easier.

Living trusts are most appropriate for those with substantial assets or complex estates. In general, financial planners frequently recommend them for individuals or couples with an estate of $1 million or more. Estates of this size typically are subjected to probate in the deceased's state of residence, which can cost anywhere between 2% and 4% of the estate's value in court and legal fees. Young couples without significant assets and without children, who intend to leave their assets to each other when the first one of them dies, generally would not benefit from having a living trust.

Naming a Trustee

When establishing a living trust, most people name themselves as the trustee in charge of managing the trust's assets. You can also name a successor trustee, either a person or an institution, who will manage the trust's assets if you ever become unable or unwilling to do so yourself. You can amend or revoke the trust at any time.

Almost any type of asset can be placed in a trust: savings accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate, life insurance, business interests, and personal property. To fund a trust, one simply changes the name or title on one's assets to the name of the trust.

Spouses and Domestic Partner

Since a living trust can hold both separate and community property, it may be a convenient estate planning vehicle for spouses and registered domestic partners to plan for the management and ultimate distribution of their assets in one document

Wills Versus Living Trusts

An estate planning attorney can advise you on whether a living trust is appropriate for your personal situation. This type of "substitute will" may help you transfer assets to your heirs in a way that maintains your privacy

For additional information, call Washington Trust Wealth Management at 800-582-1076.

Any views or opinions expressed are those of Washington Trust Wealth Management. The information provided does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. Please consult with a financial counselor, attorney, or tax professional regarding your specific investment, legal, or tax situation. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to provide investment advisory or other services. The information may change at any time without prior notice and is based on data obtained from reliable sources; however we cannot guarantee that the information is accurate or complete.