Tag Archives: life tenant

Trustee Powers and Duties

Attorney at Law

“Trustee Powers and Duties: Protecting Your Assets and Your Rights”

Introduction

Trustee powers and duties are an important part of the legal framework that governs the relationship between a trustee and the beneficiaries of a trust. A trustee is a fiduciary who is responsible for managing the trust assets and carrying out the wishes of the trust creator. The trustee has a duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries and to manage the trust assets prudently. The trustee also has certain powers that allow them to make decisions and take action on behalf of the trust. This article will provide an overview of trustee powers and duties, including the fiduciary duties of a trustee, the powers of a trustee, and the limitations on a trustee’s powers.

What Are the Tax Implications of Trusts?

Trusts are a common estate planning tool used to manage assets and provide for beneficiaries. While trusts can be beneficial for estate planning, they also have tax implications that must be considered.

Trusts are subject to income tax, and the trust itself is responsible for filing a tax return. The trust must report all income, deductions, and credits to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Depending on the type of trust, the income may be taxed at the trust level or the beneficiary level.

Income taxed at the trust level is subject to the highest tax rate, which is currently 37%. Trusts may also be subject to the 3.8% net investment income tax. Trusts may also be subject to state income taxes.

Trusts may also be subject to estate taxes. The federal estate tax exemption is currently $11.58 million per person, and the top estate tax rate is 40%. Some states also impose estate taxes.

Trusts may also be subject to gift taxes. The federal gift tax exemption is currently $15,000 per person per year. The top gift tax rate is 40%. Some states also impose gift taxes.

Trusts can be a useful estate planning tool, but it is important to understand the tax implications of trusts before setting one up. It is also important to consult with a qualified tax professional to ensure that the trust is set up correctly and that all applicable taxes are paid.

Exploring the Subordinate Legislation of Trusts

Trusts are a legal arrangement that allows a person or organization to hold assets on behalf of another person or organization. The assets are held in trust for the benefit of the beneficiary, who is the person or organization that will receive the benefit of the trust. Trusts are governed by a variety of laws, including state and federal laws, as well as the terms of the trust itself.

The laws that govern trusts are known as subordinate legislation. Subordinate legislation is a type of law that is created by a government body, such as a legislature or court, to supplement or modify existing laws. Subordinate legislation is often used to provide more specific guidance on how a law should be applied in a particular situation.

When it comes to trusts, subordinate legislation is used to provide guidance on how the trust should be administered, how the assets should be managed, and how the trust should be terminated. Subordinate legislation also provides guidance on how the trust should be taxed, how the trust should be funded, and how the trust should be distributed.

Subordinate legislation can be found in a variety of sources, including state statutes, federal regulations, and court decisions. It is important to understand the specific laws that apply to a particular trust in order to ensure that the trust is administered properly.

In addition to the laws that govern trusts, there are also a variety of other documents that are used to create and administer trusts. These documents include trust agreements, trust deeds, and trust instruments. These documents provide additional guidance on how the trust should be administered and how the assets should be managed.

Trustee Powers and Duties

It is important to understand the subordinate legislation that applies to trusts in order to ensure that the trust is administered properly and that the assets are managed in accordance with the terms of the trust. Understanding the subordinate legislation of trusts can help to ensure that the trust is administered in a manner that is consistent with the wishes of the settlor and the beneficiaries.

How to Avoid Personal Liability as a Trustee

As a trustee, it is important to understand the legal responsibilities and liabilities associated with the role. To avoid personal liability, trustees should take the following steps:

1. Understand the Trust: Before accepting the role of trustee, it is important to understand the terms of the trust and the duties and responsibilities associated with the role.

2. Follow the Trust Document: Trustees should follow the terms of the trust document and act in accordance with the wishes of the grantor.

3. Act in Good Faith: Trustees should act in good faith and with the best interests of the beneficiaries in mind.

4. Keep Records: Trustees should keep accurate and detailed records of all transactions and decisions made on behalf of the trust.

5. Seek Professional Advice: Trustees should seek professional advice when necessary to ensure that all decisions are made in accordance with the law.

6. Avoid Conflicts of Interest: Trustees should avoid any conflicts of interest and should not use the trust for their own personal gain.

7. Comply with Tax Obligations: Trustees should ensure that all tax obligations are met in a timely manner.

By following these steps, trustees can help to ensure that they are not held personally liable for any decisions or actions taken on behalf of the trust.

What Are the General Powers of a Trustee?

A trustee is a fiduciary who holds legal title to property for the benefit of another person or entity, known as the beneficiary. The trustee is responsible for managing the trust assets and carrying out the terms of the trust. Generally, trustees have the following powers:

1. Investment Powers: Trustees have the power to invest trust assets in accordance with the terms of the trust. This includes the power to buy and sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments.

2. Distribution Powers: Trustees have the power to make distributions from the trust to the beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of the trust.

3. Administrative Powers: Trustees have the power to manage the trust assets, including the power to open and maintain bank accounts, pay bills, and file taxes.

4. Discretionary Powers: Trustees may have the power to make discretionary decisions regarding the trust assets, such as deciding when and how to make distributions to the beneficiaries.

5. Amendment Powers: Trustees may have the power to amend the trust, as long as the amendment is consistent with the terms of the trust.

6. Termination Powers: Trustees have the power to terminate the trust, as long as the termination is consistent with the terms of the trust.

Trustees are held to a high standard of care and must act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. As such, trustees must exercise their powers in a prudent and responsible manner.

Exploring the Exclusion Clause in Trust Documents

Trust documents are legal documents that are used to protect the interests of the trustor, or the person who creates the trust. An exclusion clause is a provision in a trust document that allows the trustor to exclude certain assets from the trust. This clause can be used to protect the trustor’s assets from creditors, or to ensure that certain assets are not subject to the terms of the trust.

The exclusion clause is an important part of a trust document, as it allows the trustor to protect certain assets from the trust. This clause can be used to protect assets from creditors, or to ensure that certain assets are not subject to the terms of the trust. The exclusion clause can also be used to protect the trustor’s assets from being used for purposes other than those specified in the trust document.

When drafting a trust document, it is important to consider the exclusion clause carefully. The exclusion clause should be written in a way that clearly states which assets are excluded from the trust. It should also be written in a way that is easy to understand and enforce.

When drafting an exclusion clause, it is important to consider the purpose of the trust. For example, if the trust is intended to protect the trustor’s assets from creditors, the exclusion clause should be written in a way that clearly states which assets are excluded from the trust. If the trust is intended to ensure that certain assets are not subject to the terms of the trust, the exclusion clause should be written in a way that clearly states which assets are excluded from the trust.

It is also important to consider the potential implications of the exclusion clause. For example, if the exclusion clause is too broad, it may be difficult to enforce. Additionally, if the exclusion clause is too narrow, it may not provide the protection that the trustor intended.

When drafting an exclusion clause, it is important to consult with an experienced attorney. An attorney can help ensure that the exclusion clause is written in a way that is clear and enforceable. Additionally, an attorney can help ensure that the exclusion clause is tailored to the specific needs of the trustor.

The exclusion clause is an important part of a trust document, and it is important to consider it carefully when drafting a trust document. An experienced attorney can help ensure that the exclusion clause is written in a way that is clear and enforceable, and that it is tailored to the specific needs of the trustor.

What Are the Fiduciary Duties of a Trustee?

A trustee is a fiduciary who is responsible for managing the assets of a trust for the benefit of the trust’s beneficiaries. As a fiduciary, a trustee has a legal obligation to act in the best interests of the trust and its beneficiaries. This obligation is known as the fiduciary duty of loyalty.

The fiduciary duty of loyalty requires a trustee to act in good faith and with the utmost care, loyalty, and impartiality when managing the trust’s assets. This means that a trustee must not use the trust’s assets for their own benefit or the benefit of any other person or entity. A trustee must also avoid any conflicts of interest and must not engage in any self-dealing.

In addition to the fiduciary duty of loyalty, a trustee also has a duty to act prudently when managing the trust’s assets. This means that a trustee must exercise reasonable care, skill, and caution when making decisions about the trust’s assets. A trustee must also keep accurate records of all transactions and must ensure that the trust’s assets are invested in a prudent manner.

Finally, a trustee has a duty to act impartially when making decisions about the trust’s assets. This means that a trustee must not favor one beneficiary over another and must treat all beneficiaries equally. A trustee must also ensure that all beneficiaries are informed of their rights and must provide them with all relevant information about the trust.

In summary, a trustee has a legal obligation to act in the best interests of the trust and its beneficiaries. This obligation includes the fiduciary duties of loyalty, prudence, and impartiality. A trustee must act in good faith and with the utmost care, loyalty, and impartiality when managing the trust’s assets. A trustee must also exercise reasonable care, skill, and caution when making decisions about the trust’s assets and must act impartially when making decisions about the trust’s assets.

Understanding the Standard Investment Criteria for Trustees

Trustees of a trust are responsible for making decisions about investments on behalf of the trust. To ensure that these decisions are made in the best interests of the trust, trustees must adhere to a set of standard investment criteria.

The first criterion is that trustees must act with prudence and diligence. This means that trustees must exercise the same degree of care, skill, and caution that a prudent person would use in managing their own investments. Trustees must also consider the trust’s objectives, the risk associated with the investment, and the trust’s financial resources.

The second criterion is that trustees must diversify investments. This means that trustees should not put all of the trust’s assets into one type of investment. Instead, trustees should spread the trust’s assets across different types of investments, such as stocks, bonds, and cash. This helps to reduce the risk of loss if one type of investment performs poorly.

The third criterion is that trustees must consider liquidity. This means that trustees should ensure that the trust has enough liquid assets to meet its short-term needs. Liquid assets are those that can be quickly converted into cash, such as stocks and bonds.

The fourth criterion is that trustees must consider the trust’s tax position. This means that trustees should consider the tax implications of any investment decisions they make. For example, some investments may be subject to capital gains tax, while others may be exempt.

Finally, trustees must consider the trust’s long-term objectives. This means that trustees should consider the trust’s goals for the future and make investments that will help the trust achieve those goals.

By following these standard investment criteria, trustees can ensure that they are making decisions that are in the best interests of the trust.

Exploring the Powers and Duties of Trustees Under the Trustee Act 2000

Trustees are responsible for managing the assets of a trust, and they are subject to the Trustee Act 2000. This Act outlines the powers and duties of trustees, and it is important for trustees to understand their obligations under the Act.

The Trustee Act 2000 outlines the powers of trustees. These powers include the ability to invest trust assets, to borrow money, to make payments, and to enter into contracts. Trustees also have the power to appoint agents and to delegate certain duties to them. Trustees also have the power to make decisions about the trust’s assets, and to make distributions to beneficiaries.

The Trustee Act 2000 also outlines the duties of trustees. These duties include the duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries, to act with reasonable care and skill, to act honestly and in good faith, and to avoid conflicts of interest. Trustees must also keep accurate records of the trust’s assets and transactions, and they must keep beneficiaries informed of the trust’s activities.

Trustees must also comply with the terms of the trust deed. This document outlines the purpose of the trust, the powers of the trustees, and the rights of the beneficiaries. Trustees must also comply with any applicable laws and regulations.

The Trustee Act 2000 also outlines the liabilities of trustees. Trustees are liable for any losses or damages caused by their breach of duty or negligence. They are also liable for any taxes or other liabilities arising from the trust’s activities.

In summary, trustees have a number of powers and duties under the Trustee Act 2000. It is important for trustees to understand their obligations under the Act, and to ensure that they comply with the terms of the trust deed and any applicable laws and regulations.

Why You Should Hire an Estate Lawyer To Help You With a Trust

When it comes to managing a trust, it is important to have the right legal guidance. An estate lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in helping you to understand the complexities of trust law and ensure that your trust is properly managed. Here are some of the reasons why you should hire an estate lawyer to help you with a trust.

First, an estate lawyer can help you to understand the legal requirements of setting up and managing a trust. Trusts are complex legal documents that require a thorough understanding of the law. An estate lawyer can provide you with the necessary guidance to ensure that your trust is properly established and managed.

Second, an estate lawyer can help you to ensure that your trust is properly funded. A trust must be funded in order to be effective. An estate lawyer can help you to determine the best way to fund your trust and ensure that it is properly managed.

Third, an estate lawyer can help you to ensure that your trust is properly administered. A trust must be administered in accordance with the terms of the trust document. An estate lawyer can provide you with the necessary guidance to ensure that your trust is properly administered.

Finally, an estate lawyer can help you to ensure that your trust is properly distributed. A trust must be distributed in accordance with the terms of the trust document. An estate lawyer can provide you with the necessary guidance to ensure that your trust is properly distributed.

Hiring an estate lawyer to help you with a trust is a wise decision. An estate lawyer can provide you with the necessary guidance to ensure that your trust is properly established, funded, administered, and distributed. With the right legal guidance, you can ensure that your trust is managed in accordance with the law and that your beneficiaries receive the assets they are entitled to.

Areas We Serve

We serve individuals and businesses in the following locations:

Salt Lake City Utah
West Valley City Utah
Provo Utah
West Jordan Utah
Orem Utah
Sandy Utah
Ogden Utah
St. George Utah
Layton Utah
South Jordan Utah
Lehi Utah
Millcreek Utah
Taylorsville Utah
Logan Utah
Murray Utah
Draper Utah
Bountiful Utah
Riverton Utah
Herriman Utah
Spanish Fork Utah
Roy Utah
Pleasant Grove Utah
Kearns Utah
Tooele Utah
Cottonwood Heights Utah
Midvale Utah
Springville Utah
Eagle Mountain Utah
Cedar City Utah
Kaysville Utah
Clearfield Utah
Holladay Utah
American Fork Utah
Syracuse Utah
Saratoga Springs Utah
Magna Utah
Washington Utah
South Salt Lake Utah
Farmington Utah
Clinton Utah
North Salt Lake Utah
Payson Utah
North Ogden Utah
Brigham City Utah
Highland Utah
Centerville Utah
Hurricane Utah
South Ogden Utah
Heber Utah
West Haven Utah
Bluffdale Utah
Santaquin Utah
Smithfield Utah
Woods Cross Utah
Grantsville Utah
Lindon Utah
North Logan Utah
West Point Utah
Vernal Utah
Alpine Utah
Cedar Hills Utah
Pleasant View Utah
Mapleton Utah
Stansbury Par Utah
Washington Terrace Utah
Riverdale Utah
Hooper Utah
Tremonton Utah
Ivins Utah
Park City Utah
Price Utah
Hyrum Utah
Summit Park Utah
Salem Utah
Richfield Utah
Santa Clara Utah
Providence Utah
South Weber Utah
Vineyard Utah
Ephraim Utah
Roosevelt Utah
Farr West Utah
Plain City Utah
Nibley Utah
Enoch Utah
Harrisville Utah
Snyderville Utah
Fruit Heights Utah
Nephi Utah
White City Utah
West Bountiful Utah
Sunset Utah
Moab Utah
Midway Utah
Perry Utah
Kanab Utah
Hyde Park Utah
Silver Summit Utah
La Verkin Utah
Morgan Utah

Trustee Powers and Duties Consultation

When you need help with Trustee Powers and Duties call Jeremy D. Eveland, MBA, JD (801) 613-1472 for a consultation.

Jeremy Eveland
17 North State Street
Lindon UT 84042
(801) 613-1472

Home

Business Contract Attorney

Legal Compliance

Joint Tenancy

Strategic Business Plan

Quiet Title

Construction Disputes

Exit Strategies

Business Succession Lawyer Spanish Fork Utah

Sale of Company

Corporate Attorney St. George Utah

Asset Protection

Corporate Attorney Ogden Utah

Utah Code 76-10-2402

What Is Utah Code 34-56-101

What Is Utah Code 39-1-36(1)

What Is Utah Code 48-3a-409?

Executor Lawyer

Business Strategy and Consulting

Asset Purchase Agreement

Business Succession Lawyer Roy Utah

Corporate Attorney Sandy Utah

Limited Liability Companies

LLC Lawyer

Business Lawyer St George Utah

Estate Planning Lawyer Ogden Utah

Business Succession Lawyer Pleasant Grove Utah

Market Analysis For Business Antitrust Merger

Trustee Powers and Duties

Business Lawyer Logan Utah

Different Trust Types

If you’ve been doing research on the subject of estate planning, you’ve likely run into a lot of different acronyms and trust-types. It can be hard to keep track of them all!

The most common type of trust that most people encounter is the revocable living trust. So first, if you haven’t already, you might want to start by reading some other FAQs:

What is a revocable living trust?

A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement whereby a person (the grantor) transfers ownership of their assets to another person (the trustee) for the purpose of managing those assets for the benefit of the grantor or a third party (the beneficiary). This arrangement is revocable, meaning that the grantor can make changes to the trust or terminate it at any time. Unlike a will, the trust is not subject to probate and the assets pass directly to the beneficiary without the need for court approval.

A revocable living trust can be used in many different ways. For example, it may be used to provide for the care of a minor child or an incapacitated adult, to provide for the management of a disabled person’s assets, or to provide for an orderly distribution of assets upon death. It can also be used to avoid probate, minimize estate taxes, and protect assets from creditors.

The grantor retains control of the trust and can modify or revoke it at any time. The grantor also has the power to appoint a successor trustee in the event of their death or incapacity. The trustee will have the power to manage the trust assets in accordance with the terms of the trust agreement.

The revocable living trust is a powerful estate planning tool that can help individuals manage their assets during their lifetime and provide for their beneficiaries upon death. It can also provide a measure of privacy, since the details of the trust do not become public record upon death. As with any legal arrangement, it is important to consult with a qualified attorney to ensure that the trust meets your individual needs.
What are some of the benefits of a revocable living trust?

What’s the Difference between a Testamentary Trust, a Revocable Living Trust, and an Irrevocable Living Trust?

A testamentary trust is a trust created by a will upon the death of the grantor and funded with the grantor’s assets after death. A revocable living trust is a trust created during the grantor’s lifetime and the grantor retains the right to revoke or modify the trust. An irrevocable living trust is a trust created during the grantor’s lifetime and the grantor cannot revoke or modify the trust.

The main difference between a testamentary trust, a revocable living trust, and an irrevocable living trust is the time of creation and the ability to modify or revoke the terms of the trust. A testamentary trust is created upon the death of the grantor, while a revocable living trust and an irrevocable living trust are created during the grantor’s lifetime. Additionally, the grantor of a revocable living trust can modify and revoke the trust, while the grantor of an irrevocable living trust cannot modify or revoke the trust.

All three types of trusts can be used for a variety of purposes, including estate planning, asset protection, and tax planning. However, testamentary trusts and irrevocable living trusts are often used for estate planning purposes since they allow for the grantor to control how their assets are distributed after death. Revocable living trusts, on the other hand, are often used for asset protection and tax planning purposes since they allow the grantor to protect their assets and minimize their tax liability.

Ultimately, testamentary trusts, revocable living trusts, and irrevocable living trusts each have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney to determine which type of trust best fits your needs.

Estate planning strategies which work well while interest rates are low include, intra-family loans, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs) and charitable lead annuity trusts (CLATs). When rates are higher, more efficient and commonly deployed strategies include charitable remainder annuity trusts (CRATs) and qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs). If you are thinking about estate planning, in the midst of such planning, or even if your wealth transfers are complete, prevailing interest rates can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of your planning.

A trust can be created for a variety of reasons including for income or estate tax purposes, veterans benefits planning, Medicaid planning, asset protection planning, charitable planning, or for business succession purposes.

Here’s a guide to help you understand some of the other types of trusts:

Asset Protection Trust

: An asset protection trust is generally a generic name used to refer to a trust that has been set up for asset protection purposes such as to reduce exposure to lawsuits and malpractice claims, bankruptcy, creditors, divorce or remarriage, or nursing home expenses. Asset Protection Trusts come in many different forms depending upon who you are trying to protect (you or other beneficiaries) and what you’re trying to protect from (lawsuits, creditors, divorce, taxes, etc.).

Charitable Lead Trust

: Under a charitable lead trust, a designated charity receives income from the assets held by the trust and the assets then later pass to beneficiaries named by the Trustmaker. Charitable lead trusts may be used for tax planning purposes to take advantage of charitable deductions associated with the gifts being made.

Charitable Remainder Trust

: A charitable remainder trust is essentially the converse of a charitable lead trust. With a charitable remainder trust, the Trustmaker or a beneficiary designated by the Trustmaker receives income from the trust for a specified period of time, such as the Trustmaker’s lifetime or a designated period of years. When the income beneficiary’s interest ends, the trust assets then passed to a designated charity. Again, charitable remainder trusts may be used for tax planning purposes to take advantage of charitable deductions associated with the charitable bequests being made.

Credit Shelter Trust

: In our office, we tend to call these the “Family Trust”. They are also sometimes referred to as a “bypass trust.” Without getting too bogged down in estate tax law, it’s an estate tax planning tool used with a revocable living trust for a married couple to ensure that as a couple, they maximize their estate tax exemption (the amount that you can pass free of estate taxes).

Education Trust

: This is a tool sometimes used by parents or grandparents that want to set aside funds for college expenses while receiving estate tax benefits.

Equestrian Trust (ET)

: An equestrian trust is a form of Pet Trust for horses.

Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs), Grantor Retained Unitrusts (GRUTs)

: These are trusts that provide certain tax benefits. Generally, the Trustmaker transfers an asset that is expected to significantly grow in value to the trust for less than its full market value. GRATs and GRUTs may be used to remove the full value of the asset and its future appreciation from the Trustmaker’s taxable estate to reduce future estate taxes upon death.

This is a trust used to set aside a certain amount of funds to provide for the continued care of one’s pets such as horses, dogs, cats, tropical birds, or other pets. A pet trust allows you to leave detailed instructions about how you want the pet provided for, who will provide care and ensure there are sufficient financial resources to provide such care without burdening your loved ones with such responsibility or financial burden. A Pet Trust is strongly recommended when you have pets with a longer lifespan (e.g., horses, tropical birds, etc.) and/or pets that are costly to maintain (e.g., horses, show dogs, etc.).

Grantor Trust

The term “Grantor Trust” is used to refer to a trust that is taxed to the Grantor (the person that created the trust) for either income tax purposes, estate tax purposes, or both.

Heir Safeguard Trust

: An Heir Safeguard Trust is a term used in Family Estate Planning to refer to a trust that has been designed to protect the inheritance from the beneficiary’s future potential lawsuits, creditors, or divorce.

Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT)

: Intentional or not, who wants to be told they have a defective trust, right? The name of these trusts refers to the somewhat contradictory tax treatment that they receive. The trust terms are drafted such that the assets held by the trust will not be counted as part of your taxable estate for estate tax purposes. But at the same time, the trust agreement includes an intentional ‘flaw’ that allows you to continue paying the income taxes on the assets (and by making such payments yourself instead of by your children, this continues to further reduce your taxable estate). This can be a particularly appealing tax planning option if interest rates are low and/or values of the assets have depreciated such as during a real estate or stock market downturn.

Inter Vivos Trust

: Inter Vivos Trust is Latin for a Living Trust. The term “Living Trust” simply refers to a trust that comes into being during the Trustmaker’s lifetime rather than a Testamentary Trust which does not come into creation until after the Trustmaker’s death.

IRA Trust

: An IRA Trust refers to a trust that is specially designed for retirement plans such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and similar. Generally, the purpose of the Stretchout Protection Trust is to protect the income-tax benefits of the retirement plan while also protecting the retirement plan from future lawsuits, creditors, or divorce.

Irrevocable Trust

: Irrevocable trusts are used for many different reasons. With a Revocable Living Trust, you have the right to amend any or all of the terms or revoke it entirely. At its most basic level, an irrevocable trust means that somewhere in the trust document there is a power that you gave up permanently and cannot change without either court approval or the approval of all of the trust beneficiaries. For example, you may have given up the right to withdraw principal or change the beneficiaries. Thus, these trusts tend to be a bit more “set in stone,” but the degree to which they are set in stone depends on their purposes. For example, some of the irrevocable trusts that we use for Medicaid planning and veterans benefits planning still have some flexibility. Other irrevocable trusts are used for tax planning purposes and are much more rigid because the IRS rules require them to be.

Irrevocable Income-Only Trust

: This is a type of living trust frequently used for asset protection during retirement and planning for potential eligibility for Medicaid benefits for nursing home care. With an Irrevocable Income-Only Trust, a person transfers assets to an Irrevocable Trust for the benefit of other beneficiaries (such as children or grandchildren), but retains the right to continue receiving any income generated by the trust assets (such as interest and dividends). The Trustmaker also typically retains the right to continue using and living in any real estate held by the trust and can change the beneficiaries of the trust. The Trustmaker may be able to access the trust funds indirectly through the children or grandchildren.

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)

: This is a common form of irrevocable trust used for estate tax planning purposes and to keep the proceeds of life insurance protected from future lawsuits or creditors. An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust holds one or more life insurance policies (and it can also hold other assets). Under the federal estate tax rules, the death benefits of any life insurance policies that you own will be counted as part of your gross taxable estate and may be subject to estate taxes. If the life insurance policies are instead owned by a properly created Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, then upon your death the life insurance proceeds will not be included as part of your taxable estate. The tax rules for proper setup and maintenance of an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust are extremely strict.

Lifetime QTIP Trust (or Inter Vivos QTIP Trust)

A Lifetime Qualified Terminable Interest Property Trust, often referred to as a Lifetime QTIP Trust or Inter Vivos Trust, refers to a QTIP Trust established during the Trustmaker’s lifetime. See below for a definition of a QTIP Trust. A Lifetime QTIP Trust may be used for lifetime asset protection and tax planning purposes.