Page 23 - Leisure Living Magazine August 2016

Is A Revocable (“Living”) Trust Right for You?
“Law You Can Use” Courtesy of the Ohio State Bar Association
Q: What is a trust?
A: A right of property held by one party for the benefit of another, usually in writing.
Q: Who are the par-
ties?
A: The person creating
the trust is called the
grantor (or sometimes
the settlor, trustor or
creator), and the other
party is known as the trustee. A beneficiary receives benefits from the trust created by the grantor and administered by the trustee. The trust may, and usually does, provide benefits for more than one beneficiary. Sometimes, the same person may be grantor, trustee and a beneficiary. Q: What is a revocable trust?
A: A revocable trust, commonly known as a “living” trust, is the most popular kind of trust. During the grantor’s life, the trust is “living,” and the grantor can add to it or subtract from it at any time, for any reason. The grantor may also amend, restate or revoke (cancel) the trust. When the grantor dies, the trust becomes irre- vocable.
Q: What is the purpose of a revocable trust?
A: Probate avoidance is one major purpose. Others include privacy, more efficient admin- istration of the grantor’s affairs after death, ongoing financial management of trust property, and ultimate disposition of the balance of trust property. For example, trusts are often creat- ed by parents for the benefit of their children. The trustee has discretion to pay the children’s college expenses and, if funds remain, pay the balance to the children as they mature.
Q: What is trust property?
A: The grantor transfers assets to the trustee, including cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, CDs, brokerage accounts, insurance policies and per- sonal property. By doing so, the grantor converts “probate” property (governed by the will) to trust property (governed by the trust).
Q: What is probate?
A: “Probate” describes the process of proving a will. In each Ohio coun- ty, a probate court over- sees the proving of wills, the gathering of assets, the payment of expenses and distribution of the balance to those named in the will. If there is
no will, Ohio law governs the administration of a decedent’s estate. While it is sometimes slow and expensive, the probate court serves as an overseer to protect and safeguard the decedent’s beneficiaries.
Q: Will I save estate taxes by creating a revoca- ble trust?
A: No, but Ohio repealed its estate tax on deaths after December 31, 2012. Under current law, unless your property (including trust property) is worth more than $5,430,000 in 2015 (adjusted for inflation in future years), federal estate tax will not apply.
Q: Will I save income taxes by creating a revo- cable trust?
A: No. A grantor is considered the owner of the income from the property that is held in trust and is reported on the grantor’s personal income tax return. Upon your death, the trust usually transfers its income to the beneficiaries. In turn, that income is taxed to the beneficiaries at their personal income tax rates.
Q: What are the advantages of a revocable trust compared to probate?
A: Privacy. A revocable trust is a private agree- ment between the grantor and trustee and is not subject to public scrutiny after the grantor’s death. Probate matters are reported to probate court after the grantor’s death and are open to public review.
Control. A trustee of a revocable trust has more independence, flexibility and control than
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