Primary Revocable Trusts
These are the "master" documents used to manage your assets during your lifetime and dictate their distribution after death.
Individual Revocable Trust: Created and managed by one person.
Joint Revocable Trust: Created by two or more people (available in both Community Property and Common Law states).
Automatic Sub-Trusts
These trusts are built into your documents automatically based on your marital status or the presence of beneficiaries.
Trust Type | When it’s included | Purpose |
Family Trust | If married or in a committed relationship. | Also known as a Bypass or Credit Shelter Trust. Provides the surviving spouse with creditor protection and estate tax flexibility. |
Survivor's Trust | Included in all Joint Trusts. | Holds the surviving spouse’s separate property and their share of community property after the first spouse passes. |
Holdback Trust | Included in all Wills and Trusts. | Allows a Trustee to manage assets for any beneficiary under age 25 (who is not a direct descendant). |
Conduit & Accumulation | Included in all Wills and Trusts with sub-trusts. | Specialized structures to handle inherited retirement assets for tax efficiency and control. |
Optional & Recommended Sub-Trusts
Depending on your net worth and specific goals, the platform may suggest these additional protections.
Marital Trust (QTIP)
When to use: Recommended for high-net-worth individuals or those concerned about how assets are managed after a spouse's death.
The Benefit: Structured as a Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) trust, it qualifies for the unlimited spousal estate tax exclusion while ensuring the original creator controls who receives the assets eventually.
Trust for Descendant (TFD)
When to use: Recommended if you have concerns about a child's ability to manage money, want to protect assets from a child's creditors/divorce, or want to keep wealth in the family.
The Benefit: Assets stay in a protective "legal wrapper" rather than being handed over as a lump sum.
Holdback Trust for Direct Descendants
When to use: Recommended if your only concern is the age of the beneficiary.
The Benefit: Keeps an inheritance in trust until the child reaches a specific age of maturity you've defined.
NOTE:
Not seeing a specific trust type? Our platform focuses on Revocable planning. If you require specialized Irrevocable Trusts (like a SLAT, GRAT, or ILIT), please contact our support team to discuss your needs with our Attorney Network.