A trust is a legal arrangement in which a person, also known as the trustor or grantor, transfers property to a trustee who holds and manages the assets for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. Creating a trust can be a great way to protect your assets and ensure they are passed on to your loved ones according to your wishes.  

In fact, most financial experts recommend creating a trust as part of your estate planning, and it is one of the most commonly used methods for passing on assets. We will outline the advantages and disadvantages of creating trust.

Advantages of creating a trust:

1. Avoiding probate court

Regarding estate planning, one of the main goals is to avoid probate court. This can be accomplished by creating a trust. A trust is a legal entity that can hold your assets. When you die, the assets in the trust will bypass the probate process and go directly to your beneficiaries. The probate process can be lengthy and costly, so avoiding it can save your loved ones a lot of time and money.  

Plus, creating a trust can give you more control over how your assets are distributed. You can specify exactly who gets what and when they get it. This can be helpful if you have young beneficiaries who need time to mature before receiving their inheritance. Overall, a trust is an effective way to avoid probate court and protect your assets.

2. Flexibility in terms of distribution:

One of the significant advantages of creating a trust is the flexibility that it provides in terms of distribution. Unlike a will, which must be followed to the letter, a trust gives the trustee a fair amount of discretion when distributing assets.  

This can be especially helpful if the beneficiaries are young or otherwise unable to manage their finances in an adult manner. The trustee can also consider changing circumstances when making distribution decisions, ensuring that the assets are used in the way that best meets the needs of the Beneficiaries. As a result, trusts can provide significant advantages in terms of distribution flexibility.

3. Creating A Trust Can Provide Privacy

Most people are aware that creating a will is one important way to plan for their final wishes and ensure that their loved ones are taken care of after they're gone. However, many need to realize that creating a trust can also be an essential way to safeguard their privacy.  

Unlike a will, which becomes a matter of public record once it's filed with the courts, a trust document remains private. This can be especially important for people who want to keep their financial affairs confidential. While creating a trust requires extra planning and effort, it can provide peace of mind knowing that your privacy will be protected.

4. Protecting Assets: Creating A Trust Can Help Protect Your Assets From Creditors And Lawsuits.

If you're like most people, you've worked hard to accumulate assets like your home, savings, and investments. You may not realize it, but those assets are vulnerable to creditors and lawsuits. If you were to become incapacitated or pass away, your loved ones could be left facing a lengthy and expensive legal battle. One way to protect your assets is by creating a trust. A trust is a legal entity that can own property and assets on your behalf. The trustees you appoint will have the authority to manage the trust according to your wishes, making it an ideal way to protect your interests.  

In addition, trusts can be used to minimize taxes, preserving more of your hard-earned wealth for your loved ones. Creating trust is an excellent option if you're looking for ways to protect your assets.

5. Continuity of management:

As anyone who has ever run a business knows, continuity of management is essential to the long-term success of any organization. One way to create continuity of management is to establish a trust. Having a clear plan for succession ensures that the business can continue to operate even if the founder or CEO can no longer be involved.

By creating a trust, businesses can help to ensure their long-term success and stability. This can provide the resources necessary to keep the business running and help ensure that it remains in good hands. Trusts can also be used to protect the interests of employees and shareholders.

‍

Disadvantages of creating a trust:

‍

1. Upfront and ongoing costs:

One downside to creating a trust is the initial cost. You'll need to hire an attorney to draft the trust documents and establish the trust fund. There will also be ongoing costs associated with maintaining the trust. You'll need to file annual reports with the state, keep track of income and expenses, and ensure that the trust assets are appropriately managed. These costs can add up over time and may offset any tax advantages you would have otherwise enjoyed by creating a trust. In addition, the legal fees for creating a trust can be pretty high, and there may also be fees associated with appointing a professional trustee to manage the trust.

2. Additional Paperwork

One potential disadvantage of creating a trust is the amount of paperwork involved. To establish a trust, you must draft a document outlining your wishes for administering the trust. A notary public must sign this document and file it with the appropriate government office.  

In addition, you will need to open a bank account in the name of the trust and transfer any assets that you wish to include in the trust into this account. As a result, creating a trust can be a time-consuming and paperwork-intensive process.

3. Maintain Accurate Records

Another disadvantage of creating trust is the need to maintain accurate records. Trustees are required to keep track of all assets in the trust, as well as any income or expenses. This can be a significant burden, especially for trusts with large portfolios.  

In addition, trustees must keep detailed records of all transactions, which can be time-consuming and challenging to manage. Failing to maintain accurate records can result in severe penalties, including losing the trust's tax-exempt status.

Overall, creating a trust can provide many benefits, including asset protection and management continuity. However, weighing the potential drawbacks, such as upfront and ongoing costs, additional paperwork, and the need to maintain accurate records, is essential.  

It is ultimately up to you to decide if creating trust is the right choice for your individual circumstances. Consulting with a financial or legal professional can help you make an informed decision.

‍

Disclaimer: This material is provided for informational purposes only. The provision of this material does not create an attorney-client relationship between the firm and the reader and does not constitute legal advice. Legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and the contents of this newsletter are not a substitute for legal counsel. Do not take action in reliance on the contents of this material without seeking the advice of counsel.

The information contained in this blog may or may not reflect the most current legal developments. Accordingly, information in this blog is not promised or guaranteed to be correct or complete, and should not be relied upon as such. Readers should conduct their own appropriate legal research.

‍