If you have a substantial investment portfolio or other assets, a trust may be well-suited to your needs. Trusts are commonly used as part of an overall strategy to manage financial assets for you and your heirs – now and within an estate.
Mutual funds and variable annuities are distributed only when accompanied by or preceded by a product prospectus. The prospectus contains complete information on all fees and charges and should be read carefully before investing. Securities are subject to investment risk and values will fluctuate.
A “Top” Thing to Know: Trusts aren’t just for the wealthy. Trusts are legal mechanisms that let you put conditions on how and when your assets will be distributed upon your death. They also allow you to reduce your estate and gift taxes and to distribute assets to your heirs without the cost, delay and publicity of probate court, which administers wills. Some also offer greater protection of your assets from creditors and lawsuits.
CNNMoney.com. (2010). Money101 Lesson 21: Estate planning. Retrieved September 14, 2010, from http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson21/
