A trust can add structure, privacy, and control to an estate plan—especially when your goals involve protecting dependents, coordinating complex assets, or planning for long-term continuity.
A trust is a legal structure that holds assets for designated beneficiaries.
Grantor, trustee, and beneficiaries each have defined roles managing the trust.
Provides control over how, when, and to whom assets are distributed.
Protect minors, manage assets, coordinate families, and plan for special needs.
A trust must be properly funded with assets to function as intended.
An unfunded or outdated trust can fail to deliver the intended benefits.
A trust is a legal structure where a grantor transfers assets to a trustee, who manages and distributes them for designated beneficiaries based on clearly defined, written terms and instructions.
Practical point: Trust planning focuses on how assets are managed and distributed, not just who receives them.
Used for management continuity and asset coordination; can be changed during the grantor’s lifetime.
Harder to change; often used for specific planning goals; professional guidance recommended.
Created upon death under will instructions; useful for dependents and structured inheritance.
Supports a beneficiary without affecting certain government benefits; rules vary by jurisdiction.
Designed for philanthropic purposes; tax implications and regulations vary by location.
Choosing the right trust depends on your household goals, family structure, and long-term planning needs.