2020 has been quite a year so far. Many people are looking ahead to better days and planning for their future with hope and care for their families. One way to ensure you have control of your legacy is setting up a Trust. Trust Accounts (or Trust Funds) are private legal arrangements where asset ownership—including cash, stocks, bonds, real estate and valuables such as antiques and works of art—is transferred to a trust and managed by a trustee for the benefit of others. The trustee can be a bank, trust company or one or more individuals. Regardless of your income, this estate planning guide will help guide you through a vital part of your financial plan.
A trust is used as part of a comprehensive estate plan, along with other documents such as a will, power of attorney, and healthcare power of attorney.
A trust is a way of holding and managing property, whereby the person setting up the trust (called the grantor, settlor, or trustor) transfers property to a trustee, who manages the property for the benefit of others (called beneficiaries). Many people create revocable living trusts to hold assets while they're alive. These trusts then become irrevocable upon their death. The purpose for doing this is to avoid the time and expense of probate, as well as to provide instructions for the management of their assets in the event they become incapacitated.
To better understand trusts, it helps to know a few basic terms:
- Living trust. A trust that is set up while the grantor is alive (also known as an inter vivos trust).
- Testamentary trust. A trust that is set up by the grantor's last will and testament.
- Revocable trust. A living trust that the grantor may change or cancel at any time.
- Irrevocable trust. A living trust that the grantor may not change or cancel.
- Trust agreement. The legal document that sets up a trust. It is sometimes called a Declaration of Trust; however, the title on the document may simply read "The Jones Family Trust," or something similar. It sets forth the names of the grantor, the trustee, and the beneficiaries. It also states how the trustee should distribute the income from trust assets while the grantor is alive, and how the assets or income should be distributed to the beneficiaries after the grantor's death.
Why Set Up a Trust
A trust is set up to achieve certain benefits that cannot be achieved with a will. These can include:
- Avoiding probate
- Avoiding or delaying taxes
- Maintaining privacy regarding your assets
- Exercising greater control over your assets than might be achieved with an ordinary will
- Providing financial support for a person with a disability, while allowing the person to receive government disability benefits
If you are looking to achieve one or more of these goals, you should consider setting up a trust.
“Preparing a plan for your estate is one of the very best things that you can do for your family. This will go a long way in simplifying the transfer of assets following your death and eliminating potential conflicts among family members. Sharing information with your family about your plan while you are still alive will also help to assure that your wishes are clearly understood and this too can help to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding at a later time.”- Bill Kuhlman, Senior VP-Trust, Security Bank & Trust Co.
Do You Need a Will or a Living Trust?
A will and a living trust do not serve exactly the same function. Depending upon your situation, you may only need a will. But if you decide that you need a living trust, you will also need a will. It's important to know which choice is better for you.
How to Set Up a Trust
This estate planning guide will walk you through setting up a trust is a two-step process:
1. Creating the Trust Agreement
The grantor creates a trust agreement, which is a legal document that designates the grantor, the trustee, and the beneficiaries, and outlines how the trust assets are to be managed and distributed. Part of this step is deciding who you want to name as beneficiaries, how you want the trust income and assets distributed to them, and who you want to name as trustee (or trustees).
2. Funding the Trust
The second step, called funding the trust, is for the grantor to transfer assets to the trust. A trust agreement is worthless unless the trust is funded. How this is done depends upon the nature of the property:
- Real estate. To transfer real estate, the grantor executes a deed that transfers the title to the property to the trust.
- Personal property with a title document. Some assets, such motor vehicles, boats, RVs, airplanes, and mobile homes (also known as modular or manufactured homes) have some type of title document, which can be transferred to the trust. This can also be done with stocks and bonds.
How Long Does It Takes to Set Up a Trust?
In general, it is possible to set up a functioning trust in a few days to a couple of weeks. If a lawyer creates your trust, the time will vary depending upon how quickly you can get an appointment, how quickly you can get the required information submitted, and how long it takes the lawyer to create the trust agreement and take any action needed to fund the trust. If you create your own trust, the time will also vary according to how quickly you can become educated about trusts.
How Much It Costs to Set Up a Trust?
If a lawyer sets up your trust, it will likely cost from $1,000 to $7,000, depending upon the complexity of your financial situation. For example, some situations might require a revocable trust for some assets, and an irrevocable trust for other assets. A comprehensive estate plan (which may include a will, power of attorney, living will, healthcare power of attorney, and changing how some assets are owned) will cost more than a single trust document.
While you can make a trust by yourself—using self-help books or online guides—often, creating a trust document is confusing and complex. An incorrectly created trust may cause tax problems and issues for a person's beneficiaries. Having the right support, either through an online service or attorney review of your trust, can give you the confidence you need to know you're setting it up correctly.
While things continue to change in our world, it is wise to set these things up with the proper guidance sooner than later. This estate planning guide is a great starting point! It's never too early to make a plan for your future and the future of your loved ones. We are here for you Minnesota.
