A trust is a fiduciary arrangement, often used in estate planning, which allows a third party, or trustee to hold assets on behalf of a beneficiary or beneficiaries and can determine how and when the assets pass to those beneficiaries. Trusts can sometimes avoid probate so that your beneficiaries may gain access to these assets more quickly than they might to assets under a will, saving time, court fees, and potentially reducing estate taxes as well.
Trusts can provide… Greater control – allowing you to determine exactly when and to whom distributions will or may be made. This can be helpful in complex situations where you may want to include or exclude certain potential beneficiaries. Protection of assets – helping to protect your estate from your heirs’ creditors or from beneficiaries who may not be adept at money management. Privacy and probate savings – allowing assets to pass outside of probate and remain private, in addition to possibly reducing the amount lost to court fees and taxes in the process.
Revocable vs. irrevocable
There are many types of trusts but a major distinction between them is whether they are revocable or irrevocable.
From a charitable standpoint, there are two main types of trusts…
Deciding on a trust
State trust laws differ greatly and should be understood before making any decisions about a trust. Choosing and creating a trust can be a complex process; the guidance of an attorney with estate planning expertise is highly recommended.
PSS cannot provide legal advice, but we would be happy to discuss your intent and make suggestions. Please contact our Development Department by calling (212) 874-6633 or emailing giving@pssusa.org.
Please tell us about your gift!
Some people include PSS as a beneficiary of a trust without telling us. But we would welcome the chance to say thank you. And, your gift can inspire others to make a similar gift to PSS to help future older New Yorkers.
To notify us of a legacy gift you have planned, or to discuss the best gift option for you, please contact our Development Department by calling (212) 874-6633 or emailing giving@pssusa.org.
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