You may have heard the term “trust” discussed in financial advising or estate planning conversations, but what exactly is a trust? In the most basic terms, a trust is a legal arrangement in which assets are held for the benefit of someone else (the beneficiary). There are many types of trusts for various goals, and complex trust law makes it necessary to hire an experienced attorney to help you establish one. But learning the basics can help you figure out if a trust is right for your planning needs, and your financial advisor can certainly help guide you in the right direction.

Estate planning can be daunting, especially when you consider the various intertwining factors. One commonly asked question is whether trusts are necessary for your estate plan. In this article we will discuss various factors to help you determine whether a trust is right for you.