What Is A Family Trust And How Does It Work?

What is a family trust and how does it work?

In this article, you’ll learn about:

what a family trust fund is
how a family trust fund works
types of family trust funds and what they do
benefits of them
how to set a family trust fund up
family trust laws

Let’s dig in.

The Hive Law Has Been Featured In

Get A FREE Consultation!

We run out of free consultations every month. Sign up to make sure you get your free consultation. (Free $350 value.)

What Is A Family Trust?

A family trust is also known as a family living trust.

It is a legal entity created to manage and distribute assets for the benefit of family members.

A trust involves transferring the legal title of assets to the trust.

Which is then managed by a trustee for the benefit of the trust’s beneficiaries.

Here are the key components of a family trust:

Settlor or Grantor: This is the person who makes the trust. They put money or property into it and decide how it should work.
Trustee: This person or company makes sure the trust is run properly. They have to follow the rules the Settlor made and must act in the best interest of the beneficiaries. This responsibility is called a fiduciary duty.
Beneficiaries: These are the people who get something from the trust. It could be money, property, or both.
Trust Assets: These are the things put into the trust. It can be anything of value like houses, stocks, bonds, or cash.
Trust Agreement: This is a written set of rules for the trust. It tells the Trustee how to manage and give out the assets to the Beneficiaries.

What Is A Family Trust Used For?

Family trusts are commonly used for various purposes including:

Asset Protection: To protect family assets from creditors or legal judgments.
Estate Planning: To avoid probate, reduce estate taxes, and ensure that assets are distributed according to the grantor’s wishes.
Wealth Transfer: To facilitate the transfer of wealth to future generations in a controlled manner.
Tax Planning: To take advantage of tax benefits, such as reducing estate or inheritance taxes.
Special Needs Planning: To provide for a family member with special needs without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits.

Types Of Family Trusts

Here are the different types of family trusts you can create:

Revocable Trust (Living Trust): This trust lets you place assets into a trust while you’re alive. You can change or cancel it anytime. It helps avoid probate when you pass away.
Irrevocable Trust: You put assets in this trust and cannot take them back or change the trust. It’s used for tax benefits, asset protection, and specific distribution plans.
Charitable Trust: A charitable trust is for giving assets to a charity. It can provide you with tax benefits.
Special Needs Trust: A special needs trust is for a person with disabilities. It helps them get financial support without losing government benefits.
Spendthrift Trust: a spendthrift trust protects beneficiaries from creditors. The trustee has control over how assets are distributed.
Testamentary Trust: A testamentary trust is created through a will. It only starts after you pass away.
Asset Protection Trust: This trust protects assets from creditors or legal judgments.
Generation-Skipping Trust: This trust allows you to give assets to your grandchildren, skipping your children. It’s used for estate tax planning.
Qualified Personal Residence Trust: A QPRT trust is for your home. It helps reduce estate taxes when you pass your home to beneficiaries.
Life Insurance Trust: This trust holds a life insurance policy. It helps avoid estate taxes on the policy’s proceeds.
Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT): The grantor puts assets in the trust and receives an annuity for a certain period. After this period, the remaining assets go to the beneficiaries, often with tax benefits.

Benefits Of Family Trust

Family trusts offer a variety of benefits, and can be a valuable tool in financial planning.

Here are some of the key benefits of a family trust:

Asset Protection: A family trust can protect assets from creditors and legal claims. By placing assets in a trust, they are often beyond the reach of creditors if a family member has financial issues or faces a lawsuit.
Estate Planning And Avoiding Probate: Assets in a trust don’t have to go through the probate process, which can be lengthy and expensive. This allows for a quicker and more private distribution of assets to beneficiaries upon the grantor’s death.
Tax Planning: A family trust can help minimize estate and inheritance taxes. By removing assets from an estate, a trust can reduce the value of the estate, potentially lowering the estate tax liability.
Control Over Assets: The grantor can set specific terms and conditions on how the assets within the trust are managed and distributed. This allows for greater control over how wealth is passed on, and can ensure that it is used in accordance with the grantor’s wishes.
Providing For Minor Children Or Dependents With Special Needs: A family trust can be structured to provide financial support for minor children or dependents with special needs. This can ensure that they are taken care of, without directly giving them assets that they might not be able to manage responsibly.
Managing Family Assets: A trustee with financial expertise can be appointed to manage family assets. This can be beneficial if the beneficiaries are not experienced in managing investments or real estate.
Generational Wealth Transfer: Family trusts can be structured to last for multiple generations, ensuring that wealth is preserved and passed down in a structured manner.
Protection In Case Of Divorce: Family trusts can protect assets in the event of a beneficiary’s divorce. The trust assets are often not considered marital property, and thus are not subject to division in a divorce settlement.
Clarity And Conflict Prevention: By clearly outlining how assets are to be distributed, a family trust can help prevent family conflicts over inheritance.
Charitable Giving: A family trust can be set up to make donations to charitable organizations, either during the grantor’s lifetime or upon their death, as a way to leave a legacy.

How Does A Family Trust Work

A family trust is a legal tool to manage and safeguard assets for relatives.

The person making the trust, called the settlor, drafts a trust agreement.

This trust document sets the rules, like how assets are managed and shared.

Next, the settlor moves assets into the trust, known as “funding the trust.”

You can fund the trust with real estate, money, stocks, and more.

Usually, asset titles must be changed to the trust’s name with a quit claim deed.

The trustee is the person or trust lawyer (we offer this) that handles the assets.

They invest money, manage properties, and decide how to share assets among the beneficiaries.

The trustee must prioritize the beneficiaries’ interests, known as fiduciary duty.

Beneficiaries are the people chosen to get benefits from the trust.

They can receive money regularly, get lump sums, or use properties.

You can choose between a revocable and irrevocable trust.

In a revocable trust, the settlor can change rules or end the trust anytime.

An irrevocable trust cannot get changed as it’s approved by the beneficiaries.

What Is A Revocable Trust?

A revocable trust is a legal tool that lets you put assets into a trust while staying in control.

You, as the creator, can change or cancel the trust any time you want.

A trustee, often yourself, manages the trust.

When you pass away, the assets go to the people you picked, called beneficiaries.

This process avoids probate, which is often lengthy and expensive.

If you become unable to manage your affairs, the trust can also help ensure proper handling of your assets.

What Is An Irrevocable Trust?

An irrevocable trust is a legal tool where someone places assets into a trust for beneficiaries.

The person creating the trust is called the grantor.

The grantor picks a trustee to manage the trust.

Once the grantor puts assets in the trust, they can’t take them back.

This is because the trust is irrevocable.

The trust owns the assets, not the grantor.

The trustee must follow the rules the grantor set when creating the trust.

Beneficiaries receive assets from the trust according to these rules.

People use irrevocable trusts for various reasons, like:

saving on taxes
protecting assets
controlling how beneficiaries get assets after the grantor dies

How To Set Up A Family Trust

Setting up a family trust requires careful consideration of your financial goals and family needs.

It’s also essential to comply with the requirements of family trust laws.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up a family trust:

Define Your Goals: Consider why you are setting up a family trust. This might include estate planning, asset protection, tax planning, or providing for minor children or family members with special needs.
Consult Professionals: Meet with an attorney who specializes in estate planning and trusts. They can advise you on the best type of trust for your situation. You may also want to consult a financial advisor or tax professional.
Choose The Type of Trust: Decide whether you want a revocable or irrevocable trust. A revocable trust can be altered or revoked during your lifetime, while an irrevocable trust typically cannot be changed once it is established.
Select A Trustee: Choose an individual or entity to manage the trust. The trustee has a fiduciary duty to manage the trust in the best interest of the beneficiaries. You can serve as the trustee, or you might choose a family member, friend, or professional trustee.
Identify Beneficiaries: Determine who will benefit from the trust. This might include children, grandchildren, other family members, or charitable organizations.
Draft The Trust Agreement: With the help of a trust attorney, draft the trust agreement. This document outlines the terms and conditions of the trust, including how the assets will be managed and distributed.
Fund The Trust: Transfer assets into the trust. This might include bank accounts, real estate, investments, or other assets. Depending on the type of assets, this step may involve using a quit claim deed for retitling assets in the name of the trust.
Understand Tax Implications: Discuss with your tax professional or attorney the tax implications of setting up a trust. Depending on the type of trust, there may be tax advantages or obligations you need to be aware of.
Maintain The Trust: Once the trust is established, it needs to be managed in accordance with its terms. This includes investing assets, making distributions as required, and filing any necessary tax returns.
Regularly Review The Trust: Especially if it’s a revocable trust, make it a habit to review the terms periodically and make adjustments if necessary to reflect changes in your financial situation or family dynamics.

Family Trust Laws

Family trust laws are the legal regulations that govern how family trusts are created, managed, and dissolved.

Here are some of the common components of family trust laws:

Establishment Of Trust: Understanding legal requirements is key. Creating a trust involves drafting a trust agreement, appointing a trustee, and designating beneficiaries. The trust agreement usually needs to be signed in the presence of witnesses and may need to be notarized depending on local laws.
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts: It’s important to know the difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts. Revocable trusts are flexible and can be changed, but they might not offer the same level of asset protection or tax benefits as irrevocable trusts.
Fiduciary Duties: A trustee must act in the best interest of beneficiaries and manage assets wisely. This involves not just investing prudently, but also avoiding conflicts of interest and keeping detailed records of all transactions and decisions.
Trust Funding: Transferring assets properly is critical. This involves changing titles of assets like real estate and bank accounts into the name of the trust. It’s essential to ensure all types of assets are correctly transferred, as some might require specific paperwork or procedures.
Distribution Of Assets: You need to understand laws on asset distribution. Often, trusts contain specific conditions under which assets can be distributed, and you need to ensure these conditions comply with legal requirements and effectively meet your goals for the beneficiaries.
Taxation: Know the tax consequences for your type of trust. For example, revocable trusts are often treated as “pass-through” entities for tax purposes, meaning the trust income is taxed on your personal tax return, while irrevocable trusts may have their own tax rates and filing requirements.
Protection From Creditors: If protecting assets is a goal, be aware that different trust structures offer varying levels of protection. For instance, assets in an irrevocable trust may be shielded from creditors, while those in a revocable trust typically are not.
Reporting Requirements: Staying compliant with reporting is critical. This may include periodic accountings to beneficiaries and filing trust tax returns. Also, ensure you are aware of any state-specific reporting requirements if the trust operates in more than one jurisdiction.
Trustees’ Compensation: Knowing the laws on trustee compensation is important. Some jurisdictions may have standard fees or guidelines on what trustees can charge. If the trustee is a family member, discuss compensation early to avoid misunderstandings.
Disputes And Litigation: Be aware that beneficiaries might have the right to contest the trust or the actions of the trustee. Understanding the legal framework for resolving disputes is essential.
Spendthrift And Discretionary Provisions: Including spendthrift or discretionary provisions can protect assets from beneficiaries’ creditors and allow the trustee to control distributions. These provisions should be carefully drafted to address specific family dynamics.

Hiring A Family Trust Attorney

If you want help from a trust law firm, fill out the form below.

At The Hive Law, we understand the importance of:

protecting your hard-earned assets
ensuring your family’s future
not losing everything to creditors and lawsuits
properly (and legally) distributing assets

We only accommodate a limited number of clients each month.

So don’t miss your opportunity to work with our trust fund lawyers.

Benefits of our trust services:

Tailored solutions to fit your unique needs and goals
Expert guidance in navigating complex tax and legal matters
Preservation of your wealth for future generations
Streamlined asset distribution according to your wishes

Avoid the pitfalls of inadequate estate planning strategies:

Creditors seizing your assets
Lawsuits jeopardizing your family’s financial security
Family disputes over inheritance
Costly and time-consuming probate processes

Talk soon.

Get A FREE Consultation!

We run out of free consultations every month. Sign up to make sure you get your free consultation. (Free $350 value.)

What Is A Family Trust And How Does It Work?

Table of Contents

The Hive Law Has Been Featured In

Get A FREE Consultation!

What Is A Family Trust?

What Is A Family Trust Used For?

Types Of Family Trusts

Benefits Of Family Trust

How Does A Family Trust Work

What Is A Revocable Trust?

What Is An Irrevocable Trust?

How To Set Up A Family Trust

Family Trust Laws

Hiring A Family Trust Attorney

Get A FREE Consultation!

Share This Post With Someone Who Needs To See It

© 2024 The Hive Law