What are the Benefits, Shortcomings, and Eligibility Criteria of Living Trusts in Texas?

It is complex and detrimental for your property if you die before planning to keep it in a protected place. This is why Texas probate laws of living trust propose several benefits that can be attained if someone wants to protect and then transfer the estate. But like any other thing, it has some caveats that you should look for. Other than that, whether this estate tool would work efficiently for you or not, will also depend on the details of the assets and your future goals.

A living trusts in Texas enables you to utilize your property and transferable assets during your lifetime and transfer them to your legal beneficiaries upon death. If you plan to transfer your estate after your living, it is essential to think about revocable trust.

Of course, a Texas estate planning attorney will help you understand the type of trust that you should go for depending on your estate and goals. In addition to that, they aid in developing comprehensive assets and estate protection plans so that you can meet your goals.

Besides, if you don’t want to hire an attorney for now, then read the article to know more about your estate options and why you should consider setting up a trust.

What are living trusts in Texas?

A living trust, which is also referred to as revocable trust is a legal unit made to establish for the reason of asset holding during the lifetime. You have to transfer the chosen assets once the trust is established. This will protect your assets from any other detrimental obligation due to federal property tax or anything else.

Unless you make changes to your transferred assets, the assets will remain protected in the trust until you change the title of the trust or become incapacitated.

Regardless of the property, you can easily put your vehicles, land, real property, investment accounts, and any other assets protected in a living trust. No matter whatever you put in the living trust, it will be beneficial for you and your assets if you haven’t specified any.

Another thing that you may need to consider is that regardless of what type of trust you choose for your assets; it is a must that you assign a beneficiary and select a trustee who will be responsible to manage the assets.

An elected trustee has to comply with the instructions written on the legal documents of the trust. You can name anyone, even yourself, as a trustee. Contrary to other trust entity types, it is easy to make changes and revoke a living trust anytime in your lifetime.

What particularly differs from a living trust from a will?

There can be many reasons for which people prefer to transfer assets via trusts. But one of the common reasons is they want to avoid the lengthy and intricate process of probate.

Going through a probate process carries the risk of overriding your instructions for which you may have designated beneficiaries for the assets. Using a trust ensures that you can apply your wishes and add instructions on how your estate is going to be used and distributed.

Another reason for choosing a trust is that you may not want to make your estate disposition a part of public records. Regardless of the jurisdiction, probate and wills are public proceedings and are kept in public records. This means that anyone can view and have access to personal details, assets, and beneficiaries. But situations are different when it comes to a living trust. They are private and nobody will access these records.

To have a most comprehensive estate planning strategy, you have to have both things as a must, a will, and a trust. Talking to an experienced assets protection attorney will help you determine which one is beneficial for you and why.

Benefits of a living trust

As said, creating a trust can be beneficial for you for many reasons. One of the most common reasons that people want to have control over their trust which can be impossible in the case of probate. It also enables trustees to determine how their assets will be distributed.

They also offer the freedom and flexibility to make alternative changes to your trust while you are alive. This is one of those options that you don’t have in irrevocable trusts. It is also possible for you to have benefited from your assets.

For instance, even if you have put your house under a trust, you can still live in your house, have the allowable interest deduction, and pay your mortgage.

A living trust will protect your assets in their original position until you make changes to them or you would become incapacitated. It will also protect your assets even after your death as you have determined the instructions, transferred the assets, and formalized your wishes.

Some shortcomings of living trusts

Contrary to people’s belief, forming a trust is a bit more costly than preparing a will. However, your estate may avoid the probate process while you set a trust, which could be a bit expensive. An experienced estate attorney will help you compare the possible cost of setting up revocable living trusts in Texas. In case, you wish to proceed with the trust or probate it will get much easier and appropriate to consider.

Another issue that you may want to consider while preparing a trust for your estate is how your creditors and federal estate taxes will be applied to your assets after your death. A living trust on the other hand does not protect you from federal taxes or creditors.

Who is eligible to have a living trusts in Texas?

The question may not have a crystal-clear answer as trust requirements differ from person to person and the desired output. It is also dependent on unique goals that may vary because of diversified assets.

Sometimes people find it discouraging to establish a trust if the total value of assets falls behind the standard arbitrary threshold. However, regardless of the value, you should go for making the trust as it has more benefits than its drawbacks.

In addition to that, it is always beneficial to have professional advice when there are assets involved. Whether you want to have a tailored estate planning strategy or any other type of revocable trust, consult a local estate planning attorney. Surely, he will figure out the best approach that will work best for you.

In a nutshell, if you want to keep your asset’s details private, then having a trust would be an efficient option. Similarly, to explore the approach is worthwhile to make sure that your instructions for asset distribution are applied faithfully once you become incapacitated or unable to make decisions for your assets.

Process of setting up revocable trusts in Texas

There are some specific guidelines in Texas that you need to follow in order to set up a revocable trust;

First and foremost, you need to identify the beneficiaries and trustees and the assets that you wish to transfer in a revocable or a living trust. It is also important to set your trust legally keeping all the legal requirements in accordance with the trust formation and documentation. Once you fulfill all the requirements for setting up the legal entity, you would then be able to transfer all the assets to the designated trustee and beneficiaries.

Estate planning attorneys in Texas always recommend visiting and revisiting the structure of the asset portfolio and especially the trust. This is because any change in your life such as marriage, birth, death, or even divorce may require making changes in your estate trust.

In the same way, selling or buying the property would also need to make adjustments in your trust plan.

How can an attorney help in setting up living trusts in Texas?

Setting up a trust does not necessarily need an estate planning attorney. You can draw your own trust documents, select beneficiaries, and transfer the selected assets to the new entity. But contacting a skillful estate planning attorney will prevent you from bumping into legal violations that you may negligently perform due to lack of legal knowledge.

How would you encounter a legal challenge on your property in the future if there’s a property dispute or trespassing rights involved? Keeping an attorney from the very beginning will help you mount a legal position on your assets.

Plus, a lack of legal requirements can also end up in significant legal and financial liabilities. So preparing the document without making any legal mistake is also essential if you are not considering a lawyer for setting up a trust for yourself.