Revocable and irrevocable trusts serve distinct purposes in estate planning. A revocable trust allows the grantor to maintain control over their assets, make changes or even revoke the trust as needed. An irrevocable trust, on the other hand, generally cannot be altered without the consent of beneficiaries once its established. Do you know which could benefit your estate plan in California? Here’s a comparison of the benefits and drawbacks of establishing either.
A financial advisor can also help you create a comprehensive estate plan that includes a trust based on your specific needs and goals.
What Is a Revocable Trust?
A revocable trust, also known as a revocable living trust or inter vivos trust, is a legal entity created to hold ownership of an individual’s assets during their lifetime. This type of trust is termed “revocable” because the trustor, the person who creates the trust, maintains the right to modify or dissolve the trust at any point.
The grantor typically retains full control over the assets within the trust, acting as the trustee and managing the trust’s affairs. The grantor can alter the terms of the trust, add or remove assets, or designate new beneficiaries as circumstances change.
One primary advantage of a revocable trust is its ability to avoid probate. This is a legal process that validates the deceased person’s estate and distributes their assets.
Since the trust remains revocable during the grantor’s lifetime, the assets within it can get transferred to the designated beneficiaries upon the grantor’s death without the need for probate.
Pros and Cons of a Revocable Trust in California
A revocable trust can offer several advantages. One benefit is the flexibility it provides to the trustor. As the individual who establishes the trust, you can retain the ability to make changes, modify terms, or revoke the trust altogether during your lifetime. This adaptability is particularly advantageous for those who anticipate changes in their financial circumstances, family dynamics, or estate planning goals.
One common example can include setting up a revocable trust as a parent to guarantee that your minor children are financially taken care of in the event of your untimely death. Furthermore, revocable trusts offer privacy, as they don’t become part of the public record like a will does. This means the details of the grantor’s assets and who they are distributed to remain private.
Despite these advantages, there are also some challenges to consider. The initial setup is often more costly than drafting a will. For example, while a simple will in California might cost a few hundred dollars to prepare, a revocable trust can cost a few thousand dollars. So, why might some people choose to set up a revocable trust in California despite the high initial costs? Well, it’s essential to also consider the ongoing management of the trust, which can be time-consuming and require a certain level of financial expertise.
Another notable limitation is the level of asset protection. Since the grantor retains control and access to the assets within the revocable trust, those assets remain vulnerable to potential claims from creditors. In situations where asset protection is a primary concern, an irrevocable trust may be a more suitable option.
What Is an Irrevocable Trust?
An irrevocable trust is a legal arrangement in which the grantor transfers assets to a trust, relinquishing control and ownership permanently. But unlike a revocable trust, the grantor cannot reclaim or modify the assets placed in the trust without the consent of the beneficiaries.
An an irrevocable trust is commonly used for estate planning, asset protection and minimizing estate tax liabilities.
By reducing the size of an estate for tax purposes and protecting the assets from creditors, an irrevocable trust can also serve as a critical tool, especially for seniors looking to qualify for Medicaid while preserving their assets for their heirs.
While an irrevocable trust provides more asset protection, you should take into careful consideration its irreversible nature.
Pros and Cons of an Irrevocable Trust in California
One of the key benefits of creating an irrevocable trust in California is the potential for lowering your tax liability. By removing assets from the your taxable estate, you could thereby reduce the overall estate value that is subject to federal estate taxes.
Additionally, when you transfer ownership of assets to an irrevocable trust, you could get more robust protection that shields those assets from potential creditors.
Finally, an irrevocable trust can allow you as the grantor to exercise control over the distribution of assets to beneficiaries, including when and how the assets are distributed.
However, there are also potential drawbacks. Modifying the terms of an irrevocable trust can be challenging. And this inflexibility can become problematic, if circumstances change or you want to regain control of the assets.
Creating an irrevocable trust can also be a complex process that requires expert legal advice, and this will contribute to the overall cost.
Key Differences of Irrevocable and Revocable Trusts
Revocable and irrevocable trusts can differ in flexibility, control, tax implications and asset protection. Here are five common things to keep in mind:
- Control and flexibility: The grantor in an irrevocable trust surrenders control and cannot make changes to the trust without the consent of beneficiaries. The grantor of a revocable trust, on the other hand, retains control and can modify or revoke the trust at any time.
- Asset protection: An irrevocable trust offers enhanced asset protection by shielding assets from creditors and legal claims. A revocable trust, by comparison, provides less asset protection as the grantor maintains control and access to the assets.
- Tax implications: An irrevocable trust can lead to potential tax advantages, such as reducing the taxable estate and potential eligibility for certain government benefits. But a revocable tac typically offers no direct tax advantages, as assets remain part of the grantor’s taxable estate.
- Estate planning goals: An irrevocable trust is often used for specific estate planning goals, such as minimizing estate taxes, providing for beneficiaries, or preserving assets for future generations. A revocable trust, on the other hand, is used primarily for avoiding probate, maintaining flexibility during the grantor’s lifetime and streamlining asset distribution after death.
- Upfront costs: An irrevocable trust could involve higher upfront costs due to its complexity and potential need for legal assistance. A revocable trust, on the other hand, generally involves lower upfront costs, making it a more accessible option for some individuals.
How to Create a Trust in California
Creating a trust in California can be straightforward. The process involves four general steps:
- Decide on the type of trust: Choosing the type of trust you want to create is the first step to making sure you go through the process correctly.
- Identify the trustee and beneficiaries: Before you can create the trust you need to know who is going to serve as the trustee, who will execute the trust after it’s created, and the beneficiaries that will benefit from the creation of the trust.
- Draft the trust agreement: The next step is to create the trust document. You should consult with an attorney or other professional to help you make sure it’s created properly.
- Fund the trust: Once the trust is created and legally binding, you just have to fund the trust to make it finalized.
Drafting the agreement can be the most complicated step in the process. But each step requires your careful attention to ensure that you reach a desired goal.
Bottom Line
A revocable trust offers flexibility and control, allowing the trustor to manage their assets during their lifetime and bypass the probate process upon their death. An irrevocable trust provides, by comparison, can offer substantial asset protection and potential tax benefits, but at the expense of control over the assets. The choice between these trusts will depends on your specific estate planning goals.
Tips for Estate Planning
- A financial advisor can help you prepare your estate to reach your goals. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- If you’re trying to do your estate planning on your own then you can start with this checklist, but be aware that there could be dangers to DIY estate planning.
Photo credit: ©iStock.com/skynesher, ©iStock.com/ilkercelik, ©iStock.com/zorandimzr