8 Types of Trusts for the Larger Estate Owner
Estate planning is crucial for high net worth (HNW) individuals who want to protect their assets and pass their legacy on to loved ones after death. High net worth individuals have unique tax and non-tax estate planning needs, which require careful consideration of various strategies to protect their assets and minimize tax liabilities. One of the most effective ways to protect HNW estates is through the use of trusts, which are legal entities that hold assets for the benefit of designated beneficiaries.
Options
1. Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs)
Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDTs) are irrevocable trusts that are structured to be intentionally disregarded for income tax purposes yet still recognized to remove the assets from the grantor’s gross estate at death. By doing so, they can transfer wealth to beneficiaries while minimizing the impact of the estate tax.
2. Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts
Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts are two different types of trusts that can be used in estate planning. Revocable Trusts are generally used to avoid the process of probate and allow the grantor to make changes to the trust at any time during his or her lifetime. Irrevocable trusts cannot be changed once they are established unless they are subject to special Decanting rules provided in many states, or unless a court permits the trust to be amended, usually with the consent of the impacted beneficiaries. Irrevocable Trusts are often used for tax planning and asset protection purposes, while Revocable Trusts are more flexible allowing the trust to be changed by written amendment by the grantor/creator.
3. Charitable Lead Trust
Charitable Lead Trusts are trusts that provide income to a charity for a certain period, after which the remaining assets are passed on to beneficiaries. This type of trust is beneficial for those who want to make charitable donations and still provide for their loved ones.
4. Charitable Remainder Trust
Charitable Remainder Trusts are trusts that provide income to beneficiaries for a certain period, after which the remaining assets then pass on to the designated charity. This type of trust is beneficial for those who want to provide for themselves and then their loved ones while also supporting a charitable cause.
5. Crummey Trust
A Crummey Trust is a type of Irrevocable Trust that allows the grantor to transfer assets to beneficiaries in the future, while also qualifying for the annual gift tax exclusion[1]. The beneficiaries have a limited time period (usually 30 days) to withdraw the gifted amount, after which it becomes part of the trust. The Crummey Trust is generally the vehicle used when a life insurance policy is being purchased and the insured desires to remove the proceeds at death from being included in his or her gross estate, and to have the death benefits managed to protect the same from creditors of the beneficiaries.
6. Generation-Skipping Trust
Generation-Skipping Trusts are trusts that allow the grantor to transfer assets to beneficiaries who are two or more generations younger than the grantor. This type of trust is beneficial for those who want to provide for their grandchildren or great-grandchildren and defer the imposition of estate tax for multiple generations.
7. Grantor Retained Annuity Trust
A Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) is a type of Irrevocable Trust that allows the grantor to transfer assets to beneficiaries while still retaining the right to receive income from the trust for a certain period. This type of trust is beneficial for those who want to transfer assets to their heirs while also retaining some control over the assets. If the donor dies within the time he or she is permitted to receive the income stream, the full value of the assets in the GRAT is included in the grantor’s gross estate. If the grantor lives beyond the time he or she is to receive the income, then the full value of the trust property is excluded from the grantor’s gross estate and no estate tax is imposed.
8. Asset Protection Trust
The asset protection trust (APT) is used by HNW families to protect trust assets from future unknown unforeseeable lawsuit creditors and predators. The APT is a trust created by the grantor and for the grantor, during the grantor’s lifetime – so-called “self-settled spendthrift trust.” Twenty states plus many offshore jurisdictions have passed legislation allowing for the grantor to establish and remain a discretionary beneficiary of the trust while protecting the assets inside the trust from future judgment creditors. Special rules apply to avoid a grantor from creating an APT to defraud his or her known, expected or current creditors and these rules must be carefully analyzed to insure they are not violated when establishing an APT.
The Right Direction
The eight types of trusts mentioned here are just a few of the options available to HNW individuals to protect assets and minimize tax liabilities. When it comes to estate planning for HNW estates, it's essential to work with an attorney specializing in this area of law.
The estate planning attorneys at Falcon Rappaport & Berkman can help you protect your assets from future unknown judgment creditors preserving their legacy and providing for your loved ones for generations to come. Selecting the right jurisdiction to form the trust is one of the most critical steps in the process. We work with you to create a comprehensive estate plan that meets your specific needs and goals as well as ensure that your assets are protected and distributed according to your wishes. If you have any questions about estate planning and trusts, please contact us at (949) 333-8152 or fill out the form below.
DISCLAIMER: This summary is not legal advice and does not create any attorney-client relationship. This summary does not provide a definitive legal opinion for any factual situation. Before the firm can provide legal advice or opinion to any person or entity, the specific facts at issue must be reviewed by the firm. Before an attorney-client relationship is formed, the firm must have a signed engagement letter with a client setting forth the Firm’s scope and terms of representation. The information contained herein is based upon the law at the time of publication.