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What is the Difference betweeen a Florida Revocable Living Trust and a Florida Irrevocable Trust

By David M. Goldman

a Florida Revocable Trust is a trust created during the life of an individual which can be modified, amended, or revoked at anytime during their life. Often they are used to:

1. avoid Florida Probate;
2. Keep your assets and decisions private;
3. Simplify after death distributions;
4. Increase the amount of the estate tax exemption for a couple;
5. Simplify the management of the beneficiary designations on property and other assets; and
6. Keep property separate in the case of a divorce.

The downside to a revocable trust is that assets are considered your personal assets in the case of creditors. There are techniques that can use a Florida Limited Liability Company (LLC) in conjunction with Florida Revocable Trust to protect assets. In most cases, these are not implemented and the trust by itself will offer no asset protection except in the case of a subsequent marriage and divorce.

A Florida Revocable Trust cannot be changed after the trust is created. A Florida Revocable Trust becomes irrevocable after the Settlor or Grantor dies. Florida Revocable Trusts are often used for:

1. Estate tax reduction;
2. Removing Life insurance proceeds from one's taxable estate;
3. Asset protection for the creator;
4. Asset protection for the beneficiaries;
5. Charitable Estate Planning; and

To determine what type of Florida Trusts would be best for you, you could Contact a Florida Trust Attorney or a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer

Full post as published by Florida Estate Planning Lawyer Blog on December 10, 2008 (boomark / email).