Imagine walking into a car dealership and asking the salesperson whether you need a car. The salesperson would answer with assurance: “Of course you need a car! The only question is which one on our lot you are going to buy.”
Unfortunately, the same approach can be expected from a lot of estate attorneys. No matter who you are or what your situation, the attorney is very likely to tell you that you need a revocable trust. This is a one-size-fits-all answer, and you should proceed with caution. That said, a revocable trust often makes sense. Here are four reasons why a revocable trust may fit your situation:
1. To avoid probate
When prospective clients approach me, insisting they need a trust, it’s typically because of a good or bad experience they had because of a trust or lack thereof. Maybe a parent had a trust and things passed very smoothly. Or maybe their parents didn’t have a trust, and they had to deal with the probate courts in a tough jurisdiction. It’s either that, or they got a targeted ad on Facebook saying they should absolutely have one.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
In any case, probate avoidance is a legitimate reason to set up a trust. If you plan to pass assets through your will, it will go through probate. Probate is a court-supervised process of distributing the decedent’s assets. It can be, depending on the jurisdiction, expensive and time-consuming.
If you own assets in multiple states, this can be especially important. My office is in Virginia, but from my office window, I can see D.C. and Maryland. If I own a rental property in Maryland and die, my family will go through probate here in Virginia and ancillary probate in Maryland. A revocable trust that owns both properties solves that problem.
2. To have control
Imagine a scenario where two of your kids are great with money, but the third, not so much. You can stop imagining, as this is probably the case. It is more common than not to have kids who are going to do very different things with the same inheritance.
The most common way that revocable trusts control this challenge is to release a certain percentage of assets once the beneficiary hits certain ages. While this is most common, it is by no means the only way to solve the problem.
Along with the benefit of control comes flexibility. The trust I have in place would allow for annual distributions only up to the amount that my beneficiaries save each year. What kind of financial planner would I be if I didn’t incentivize saving?
3. To ensure privacy
Putting together an estate plan can be a very emotional process. Ideally, there won’t be too much disagreement among the parties, and you will land with a plan that executes your wishes. That said, I’m guessing you wouldn’t post that plan on social media. Your wishes are typically something you keep private except from those who have some role or benefit in the plan.
If you plan to pass assets through a will, just remember that most of the time, that will becomes public once the probate estate is closed. So, if you left one of your kids out, left your favorite a bit more or are just a private person, you may be better off with a trust.
4. To plan for incapacity
The scenario that no one expects or wants does, unfortunately, occur sometimes. If your bank accounts are titled only in your name, this can become a nightmare for simple tasks like paying your bills. A revocable trust won’t improve your situation, but it can create continuity and simplicity in managing financial matters.
In the case of the trust, you will name a successor trustee who will manage the assets in the trust according to the terms of the trust should you become incapacitated. This can happen immediately rather than going through the legal process of seeking guardianship or conservatorship.
While I believe these are four very strong reasons for drawing up a living trust, and while most of our clients do employ these instruments, they are by no means necessary for everyone. My next column: Four Reasons You Don’t Need a (Revocable) Trust.
related content
- Eight Types of Trusts for Owners of High-Net-Worth Estates
- What Assets Should You Put (or Not Put) in Your Trust?
- The (Only) 3 Reasons You Should Have an Irrevocable Trust
- Three Key Things to Consider Before Agreeing to Be a Guardian in a Trust
- Best States for Trusts: How to Choose One That’s ‘Trust-Worthy’
-
The Seven Best-Paying Side Gigs For RetireesIf you're worried you won't have enough saved for a comfortable retirement, or that life after work will be boring, these well-paid roles could be the answer.
-
$40,000 CD vs $40,000 High-Yield Savings Account - 3 Things Savers Should Consider NowBoth options offer risk-free methods to grow your savings. Learn how much you can earn with each, how they differ and which one suits you best.
-
Gray Divorce Can Throw Your Retirement a Curveball: What to KnowIf you're entering retirement and going through a divorce at the same time, you've got some work to do to shore up your long-term financial security.
-
I'm a Real Estate Investing Expert: Optional 721 UPREIT DSTs Can Be the Best of Both WorldsBefore investing in any 721 UPREIT exchange, look for one that offers a straightforward, investor-friendly exit.
-
How an Expired Passport Thwarted Blackmail (and What Other Important Documents You Should Keep)An optometrist produced his expired passport to foil a blackmail attempt by the daughter of a former employee. After proving he was out of the country on the date of a forged diary entry, he took it a step further.
-
Optimize, Grow, Retain: The Power of Annual Client ReviewsFinancial advisers can use annual reviews to help enhance client outcomes, strengthen relationships and build their practice.
-
I'm a Real Estate Investing Pro: This Is What Investors Should Know About Truck Stop InvestmentsTruck stops might seem like good investments, but they can actually be a risky gamble due to unstable fuel prices, unreliable operators and coming changes in transportation. Instead, consider safer options like industrial or residential properties.
-
Don't Disinherit Your Grandchildren: The Hidden Risks of Retirement Account Beneficiary FormsStandard retirement account beneficiary forms may not be flexible enough to ensure your money passes to family members according to your wishes. Naming a trust as the contingent beneficiary can help avoid these issues. Here's how.
-
This Is How Life Insurance Can Fund Your Dreams NowBeyond a death benefit, life insurance can provide significant financial value and flexibility through 'living benefits' while you are still alive, helping with expenses like education, business ventures or retirement.
-
Potential Trouble for Retirees: A Wealth Adviser's Guide to the OBBB's Impact on RetirementWhile some provisions might help, others could push you into a higher tax bracket and raise your costs. Be strategic about Roth conversions, charitable donations, estate tax plans and health care expenditures.
