You may be one who says: "I don't need a trust. I don't have a large estate. I don't need fancy planning. It's too expensive anyway. And complicated. So I just don't need a trust!" And so you ask: "Why would I want to have a trust?"

I'm going to describe in a few simple words why you will benefit from a trust. First, let me explain what a trust is. A trust is a written document that allows you to legally transfer your real property and your personal property to your family, heirs, and loved ones, upon your death. And all without requiring the court process called probate.

TOP Reasons You Need a Trust

• Your trust avoids probate.

  Although probate in Utah is not as awful as it can be in some states, it can still be expensive. Instead of paying hundreds or thousands of dollars in probate costs, fees, and attorney charges, a trust can do it without these costs. With a proper trust, all of your assets are owned by the trust and no probate is necessary. It saves money.

• You keep control.

  Your trust document contains your instructions for managing your assets, and the use of your funds in the event of your death or incapacity. Even when you are unable to handle your own affairs, you make sure they are handled the way you want. And while you are able, you still have full control to buy, use, spend, or even give away your property as you determine. You can sell property, change your beneficiaries, or your trustee, or even revoke the trust if you should decide to do so.

• It takes less time.

  Instead of taking months or even years, with a trust your estate can be settled in just a few weeks of your death. There are no court delays or judicial interferences. In the event of your incapacity, your Successor Trustee immediately takes control of your estate for your benefit.

• It avoids a living probate and your privacy is maintained.

  A living trust is private. If you become incapacitated, instead of going to court to have a conservator appointed, your successor trustee takes charge. No court filing is required. Your trust remains a private matter. Upon your death, no announcements need be placed in the paper to invite creditors to file claims, to contest your will, or to notify disgruntled relatives. Your beneficiaries need not be made public.

• It is less expensive.

  Don't forget the costs of probate are a part of the cost of settling your estate with a will. Although a trust is initially more expensive than a will, because of the elimination of probate, the total costs of settling your estate are far less. Use a competent estate planning attorney and not only will there be a cost savings, but the ease of creating your trust will surprise you.

• No special government forms are needed.

  With a revocable living trust you do not need a separate tax identification number. You do not file a separate tax return. The trust is tax neutral. You still report all your income on your personal tax return. Your social security number is your trust tax ID number. And you do not need to file any report, agreement, or notice with any government agency.

• Low maintenance.

  Once your trust is set up, there will be few changes. You will amend your trust only when you wish to change your beneficiaries or successor trustee, or other details. Occasionally the government will pass a law which affects your trust, however this is rare. An amendment to your trust is generally a simple process. Signing of Trust documents or Trust amendments does not require the formal process used to sign a Will or codicil to a Will.

• Special gifts are easy with a living trust.

  If you want to make certain gifts to chosen individuals or organizations you may do so. With a trust this is easy.

• Eliminate or reduce estate tax.

  With special planning built into your trust agreement, you may reduce or in some cases even eliminate any estate taxes which would be charged upon your death.

• Effective Pre-Nuptial Planning.

  Any property that you place in your trust before you marry is and remains the property of that trust. It stays separate from property accumulated during your marriage. Just be careful not to commingle assets with those acquired by both spouses during a marriage.

Although Trusts are wonderful tools for estate, and many people can benefit from a Trust, it is not essential in all estate planning. Work with a competent estate planning attorney to see if a Trust is right for you.