You can maintain control of the trust during your lifetime. Advantages include lower cost and a streamlined estate settlement process.
You can provide your surviving spouse or partner with a life income and choose who will receive the remaining assets after their death.
A GRAT is an irrevocable trust that holds assets such as cash, securities, and real estate. You retain the right to collect an annuity (for a fixed period of years) from the assets.
This option may help you and your spouse or partner take advantage of estate tax exemptions, thereby maximizing assets passed on to your children.
You can transfer property to a trust set up for the charity of your choice. The trust pays you an income for life or for a fixed period of time.
This trust pays income to a charity for a set amount of time, after which the assets pass to your named beneficiary.