Avoiding probate and retaining control over the distribution of your assets are two key benefits of using a living trust as part of your estate plan. With so many misconceptions around trusts, it's ...

Dear Liz: My husband and I made a living trust in 2004. He died in 2018, so his half became irrevocable. But while we were settling his estate, no one mentioned (though I can see clearly in the 2004 ...

A living trust is also known as a revocable trust. A living trust typically involve the creator of the trust remaining actively involved in be maintained while active, which can add costs if you use ...

This article is intended for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your personal situation, ...

Christy Bieber has a JD from UCLA School of Law and began her career as a college instructor and textbook author. She has been writing full time for over a decade with a focus on making financial and ...

Dear Liz: Is naming a beneficiary for a nonretirement, “payable on death” account as effective as putting the account in a living trust? It seems easier than doing all the paperwork each time I open ...

Dear Liz: I understand what happens with a living trust when both spouses die at once. But what happens when just one dies? Is the trust tossed out, since the surviving spouse is usually the trustee?

When it comes to estate planning, two of the most common tools are living trusts and wills. Both help ensure your assets reach the right people after you’re gone, but they work differently and serve ...

A living trust gives you flexibility while sparing your loved ones the hassle of probate. A living trust can be far more costly and complicated to put in place than a will. Consider whether a living ...