Here’s the basic concept behind trusts: a trust allows an individual to separate the legal ownership of property from the beneficial enjoyment of the property. In “What Is a Trust, and Why Should I Have One?” Fox Business explains the different kinds of trusts, how trusts can be used to manage and preserve property and the relationship between the trusts, the beneficiaries of the trusts and the responsibilities of the trustees.
Revocable trusts are also known as living trusts. The creators of this trust can ensure the proper management of their assets during their lifetime and after they pass. A revocable trust can be changed at any time by the creator. However, instructions in the trust document tell the trustees how to act after the creator’s death. Revocable trusts are used in estate planning to pass assets to heirs in private and to avoid probate, which can reduce costs and stress.
Testamentary trusts. These are created in a person’s will and they don’t keep the assets out of probate. A court proceeding is required to fund the testamentary trust. Testamentary trusts provide flexibility.
Irrevocable trusts can be used to make gifts that allow subsequent protection from creditors and estate taxation. These trusts are typically created to hold high-value life insurance policies and keep the insurance proceeds out of the taxable estate of the insured person. The trust languagecan state that any trust money used for the beneficiary won’t run into issues with Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.
Charitable trusts, as the name implies,allows an individual to make a gift to charity but retain an interest in the donated property. Charitable remainder trusts will let you keep an income stream that continues for a specific time or for the rest of your life-the charity will receive any remaining funds at your death. These trusts provide income tax benefits from the value of the donation, even though you still receive income from the trust assets.
