Search Trust Planning Articles
A trust is one of the most powerful tools in estate planning — but most people either don't have one, have one that's never been funded, or have the wrong type for their situation. This section cuts through the confusion and gives you a clear picture of how trusts work, what each type does, and exactly how to use one to protect everything you've built.
All Articles — Trust Planning
What Is a Trust?
A trust is a legal arrangement where one person holds assets for the benefit of another — and when set up correctly, it keeps your estate out of court and in the hands of your family.
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trust: What's the Difference?
The difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts comes down to control, protection, and taxes — and choosing the wrong one can cost you everything you're trying to protect.
What Is a Revocable Living Trust?
A revocable living trust is the most commonly used estate planning tool — it avoids probate, keeps your affairs private, and gives you full control during your lifetime.
How to Fund a Trust (And Why Most People Skip This Step)
Creating a trust is only half the job — if you don't fund it by transferring your assets into it, your family will still end up in probate court.
Who Should Be the Trustee of Your Trust?
Picking the right trustee is one of the most important decisions you'll make — choose the wrong person and your estate plan can fall apart at the worst possible moment.
What Is a Successor Trustee?
A successor trustee steps in to manage your trust when you pass away or become incapacitated — and naming the right one (and a backup) is essential to your plan working as intended.
What Assets Should (and Shouldn't) Go Into a Trust?
Not everything belongs in your trust — some assets transfer better through beneficiary designations or joint ownership, and putting the wrong things in can trigger unintended tax consequences.
Trust vs. Will: Which One Do You Actually Need?
A will goes through probate — a trust doesn't. Understanding the key differences can save your family months of court delays and thousands in unnecessary fees.
How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Trust?
Trust costs vary widely depending on complexity, your state, and who drafts it — but one thing is certain: a properly set up trust almost always costs less than probate.
Do I Need a Trust If I Already Have a Will?
A will alone is not enough to avoid probate — millions of families with valid wills still go through the court process every year because they didn't have a trust.
What Is an Irrevocable Trust and When Does It Make Sense?
An irrevocable trust removes assets from your estate for tax and Medicaid protection purposes — but you give up control, so it needs to be the right fit for your situation.
What Is a Special Needs Trust?
If you have a child or loved one with a disability, a special needs trust lets you leave them money without disqualifying them from government benefits like SSI or Medicaid.
What Is a Spendthrift Trust?
A spendthrift trust protects your heirs from their own poor financial decisions — and from creditors — by controlling when and how they receive their inheritance.
What Is a Testamentary Trust?
A testamentary trust is created inside your will and only takes effect after your death — but because it goes through your will, it still requires probate.
Can a Trust Be Contested?
Yes — trusts can be challenged, but they're significantly harder to contest than a will, especially when properly drafted, signed, and funded with the right provisions in place.
How to Put Your House Into a Trust
Transferring your home into a trust requires a new deed — it's one of the most important funding steps you can take, and most people don't do it until it's too late.
How Does a Trust Affect Your Taxes?
A revocable trust doesn't change your tax situation while you're alive — but irrevocable trusts have separate tax filing requirements and can reduce your taxable estate.
What Happens to a Trust After the Grantor Dies?
When the person who created the trust passes away, the successor trustee takes over, the trust becomes irrevocable, and assets are distributed according to the trust's instructions — without court involvement.
How to Leave Money to Minor Children Using a Trust
Leaving money directly to a minor without a trust means a court-appointed guardian controls it until they turn 18 — and they can spend every dollar the moment they become an adult.
What Is a Pour-Over Will and Why Do You Need One With a Trust?
A pour-over will acts as a safety net — it catches any assets you forgot to transfer into your trust and directs them there after your death, though they may still go through a short probate.
Joint Trust vs. Separate Trusts for Married Couples
Married couples can set up one joint trust together or two individual trusts — the right choice depends on your assets, your state's laws, and what you want to happen if one of you passes first.
Trust Planning for Blended Families
Blended families face unique estate planning challenges — without the right trust structure, your assets could end up going to your spouse's children from another marriage instead of your own.
When Should You Update Your Trust?
Marriage, divorce, new children, death of a beneficiary, or major financial changes are all triggers to review and update your trust — an outdated trust can be just as dangerous as having no trust at all.
Does a Trust Protect Your Assets from Creditors?
A revocable trust offers no creditor protection during your lifetime — but an irrevocable trust, if set up correctly and early enough, can shield assets from lawsuits, judgments, and long-term care costs.
The 7 Most Common Trust Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
From never funding the trust to naming the wrong trustee, these are the mistakes that turn a good estate plan into a family disaster — and every single one is preventable.
Related Topics
Helping individuals, families, and unions protect what they've built through estate planning, retirement strategies, and insurance solutions.
619.815.8811
11720 S Foothills Blvd Suite #5, Yuma, AZ, 85367
This site provides general information about legal topics. YWait Agency, YWait Consulting, YWait Wealth Management, and YWait Insurance Solutions are not law firms and do not provide legal or tax advice. Estate Planning Software Licensed from & Powered by Estate Documents Pro.
Legal documents written by Attorneys. Do-it-yourself estate document software licensed from Estate Documents Pro, LLC. This site provides general information about legal topics. ManaEstateDocs.com, YWaitCosulting.com, YWait Wealth and Management, and Estate Documents Pro, LLC are not law firms and do not provide legal or tax advice. This site, and the products available on this site, are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. You should consult with an attorney and tax advisor licensed to practice in your state for advice if you have questions about your specific circumstances.
© 2026 YWait - All Rights Reserved.