A spendthrift trust ensures that your beneficiaries receive income from the trust, but can't withdraw principal. This preserves assets for future generations and protects the assets from irresponsible or unwise spending decisions. The creation of a spendthrift trust allows you to appoint a trustee who manages your beneficiary's access to funds. You can either limit access completely or allow your beneficiaries to draw a limited amount of money each month. If you anticipate that your beneficiary will need more than the monthly allowance, then you can always make an exception. Some spendthrift trusts also protect the principal from creditors and lawsuits. This is particularly important in cases where you want to specifically protect certain assets for your heirs, such as a family home. Have questions about Spendthrift Trusts? Click here. There are a few reasons why you might want to consider setting up a spendthrift trust. For one, it can be an effective way to protect your beneficiaries' assets from irresponsible spending or creditor claims. Secondly, it can help ensure that your beneficiaries have a stable income from the trust. For example, a spendthrift trust is a good option for parents who want to ensure that their college age children have the funds they need to attend school and live off campus, but don't want to give them full access to trust principal. There are two ways you can make your trust spendthrift: you can include a spendthrift provision in the trust document, or you can use an irrevocable trust. Including a spendthrift provision in your trust document is the simplest way to make your trust spendthrift. This clause prohibits your beneficiaries from selling or transferring their interest in the trust, and prohibits anyone who receives a distribution from the trustee from assigning or pledging it as collateral. Using an irrevocable trust, on the other hand, may be preferable if you want to give your beneficiaries access to their funds and still protect them from creditors and lawsuits. If you use this approach, you should include language in the trust that says the trust will remain spendthrift even if you or your beneficiaries change their mind. There are a few pros and cons to consider when deciding if a spendthrift trust is right for you. On the plus side, a spendthrift trust can help protect your beneficiaries' assets from creditors and lawsuits. It can also provide them with a steady income stream. On the downside, a spendthrift trust can be expensive to set up and maintain. In some cases, your beneficiaries may also be able to challenge the trust's spendthrift provisions in court. If you're thinking about setting up a spendthrift trust, it's important to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney to discuss your specific needs and goals. If you are considering setting up a spendthrift trust, it is important to speak with an estate planning attorney to discuss your specific needs and goals. This type of trust can be expensive to set up and maintain, but it can provide valuable protection for your beneficiaries' assets.Who Should Consider a Spendthrift Trust?
Making Your Trust Spendthrift
Spendthrift provision
Irrevocable trust
Pros and Cons of a Spendthrift Trust
The Bottom Line
Spendthrift Trust FAQs
A spendthrift trust prevents the beneficiary from spending the assets in the trust before they are distributed. This can preserve assets for future generations and should be considered if you want to prevent your beneficiary from wasteful or imprudent spending decisions.
A spendthrift trust works by giving your trustee discretionary power to withhold distributions from the beneficiary until they are older or have more financial wherewithal. This ensures that the beneficiary cannot easily access all of their inheritance.
If you have a young adult who is prone to reckless spending, or you want to protect assets from a beneficiary's creditors, you should consider a spendthrift trust.
The pros of a spendthrift trust are that it can prevent creditors and lawsuits from attaching to the beneficiary's assets and provide a steady income stream. The downside is that it can be expensive to set up and maintain, and the beneficiary may be able to challenge the trust's spendthrift provisions in court.
If your beneficiary is a minor, you will need to appoint a guardian to manage the trust on their behalf. You should also anticipate that your beneficiary will be named as a beneficiary of other trusts, since many people tend to create separate trusts for each child.
True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.
True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.
To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.
