Trust

A trust is a legal arrangement in which one person, called the trustee, holds assets for the benefit of another person, called the beneficiary. Trusts can be used for a variety of purposes, such as estate planning, asset protection, and tax planning.

There are two main types of trusts: revocable trusts and irrevocable trusts. Revocable trusts can be changed or revoked by the settlor at any time, while irrevocable trusts cannot be changed or revoked once they are created.

Trusts can be created by anyone who is 18 years of age or older and has the mental capacity to do so. The settlor of a trust can choose any person to be the trustee, and the beneficiary can be anyone, including the settlor themself.

Trusts can hold a variety of assets, such as cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, and other investments. The trustee is responsible for managing the trust assets and distributing them to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust agreement.

Trusts can be a valuable tool for estate planning, asset protection, and tax planning. However, it is important to work with an experienced estate planning attorney to create a trust that meets your specific needs.

Here are some of the benefits of using a trust:

* **Estate planning:** Trusts can be used to avoid probate, which is the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person's assets. This can save time, money, and stress for the beneficiaries.
* **Asset protection:** Trusts can be used to protect assets from creditors, lawsuits, and divorce. This can be especially important for high-net-worth individuals and families.
* **Tax planning:** Trusts can be used to reduce taxes on income, capital gains, and estate taxes. This can be a valuable way to save money on taxes.

Trusts can be a complex and sophisticated financial instrument. It is important to work with an experienced estate planning attorney to create a trust that meets your specific needs.