Lexington Asks: What is an Irrevocable Trust?
When you’re looking for a way to protect your children’s inheritance or prevent your home from defaulting to the government after you pass, an irrevocable trust is often the best option. It can be used to leave property to children (whether they are adults or minors), offering tax and asset management benefits.
The Pros and Cons of an Irrevocable Trust in Kentucky
While a revocable trust can be changed fairly easily, an irrevocable trust comes with some limits. Under an irrevocable trust, you have less control over your financial affairs. This type of trust is difficult to create, and it’s even harder to modify. You may also face the added time and effort of needing to handle additional tax returns.
For many people’s circumstances, these limits are simply added aspects of the features they need and desire. The fact that irrevocable trusts are difficult to modify or circumvent makes them a highly secure way to preserve assets. There are tax benefits and additional provisions that make asset management easier and smarter in the long run, among other benefits.
When properly handled by experienced, compassionate attorneys like the Elder Law Lawyers team, an irrevocable trust can greatly improve peace of mind and quality of life.
Your Irrevocable Trust FAQs
Some of the top reasons to create a protective, irrevocable trust include:
- Minimizing estate taxes—a property in this type of trust is protected from being subjected to Federal Taxes.
- Protecting property—this type of trust is popular with parents because it can keep property out of the hands of a beneficiary’s (and grantor’s) creditors as well as former spouses. However, protected property can still be used for the payment/repayment of child support as well as back taxes.
- Managing asset distribution—you can prevent a beneficiary from wasting or losing control over their inheritance by using an irrevocable trust to gradually distribute assets to them.
Contact Elder Law Lawyers today to discover if an irrevocable trust is suitable for your family’s situation.
The primary difference between a revocable and an irrevocable trust is that one can be changed easily while the other is more difficult to modify. A revocable trust can be changed by the grantor, the person creating the trust.
An irrevocable trust usually requires a court order or the full approval of each of the trust’s beneficiaries before a change can be made. It should be noted that the grantor must have control of their faculties in order to make a change.
Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks. Contact Elder Law Lawyers to learn which type of trust would most benefit your circumstances.
Our goal is to save your home and life savings, and one method of doing so is establishing a trust. There are many different types:
- Revocable trust
- Irrevocable trust
- Intentionally defective grantor trust
- Sole benefit trust
- First party trust
- Third-party supplemental trust
- Testamentary trust
- Pooled trust
- Qualified income trust
Our experienced team will help you evaluate your options and determine a plan best suited to your family’s needs.
We Protect Your Home & Life Savings
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At Elder Law Lawyers, we handle the concerns of older adults and their families with respect, compassion, and dedication. Our team has a wealth of experience in a variety of elder care and elder law practice areas, including special needs trusts, estate planning, Medicaid planning, and so much more.
We understand the challenges and opportunities that come with aging and disability, and we are committed to helping you achieve your goals and protect your rights with comprehensive long-term care planning. Contact us today to reserve your no-obligation consultation and receive personalized recommendations.