Trusts as Part of an Estate Plan

How can trusts be used as part of an estate plan, and what trade-offs arise when property follows a trust path rather than another ownership or transfer path?

Trusts can play several roles within an estate plan, including supporting continuity, protecting beneficiaries, managing complex assets, planning for incapacity, guiding succession, and changing how property passes at death. Trusts as Part of an Estate Plan (formerly Trust Fundamentals Module 2) examines how trusts work alongside wills, powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, insurance, business structures, and other ownership arrangements. It also explores the trade-offs that arise when property is placed on a trust path, including changes in ownership, tax consequences, probate treatment, ongoing administration, and the need to review whether the trust still serves its purpose over time.

What You'll Be Able to Do on the Other Side

• explain how inter vivos and testamentary trusts fit into estate plans;
• compare a trust path with outright ownership and other transfer arrangements;
• identify why spousal, alter ego, and joint partner trusts may be used;
• describe what changes when property enters a trust;
• map how trusts connect to other estate-planning documents and assets;
• explain the difference between probate, the 21-year tax rule, and trust termination; and
• evaluate whether a trust continues to serve its intended estate-planning purpose.

The Experience

Through concise readings, practical examples, and applied case studies, you will follow assets through different ownership and transfer paths and see how trusts operate during life, incapacity, death, and succession. You will compare inter vivos and testamentary trusts, examine spousal and alter ego trust scenarios, and work through the consequences of moving property into a trust.

You will also untangle Stan’s multi-part estate plan, consider how your own trusts intersect with your wider plan, and step into the role of a trustee facing an approaching 21-year deemed disposition date. Optional deep dives and the downloadable Map Your Estate Plan and Trusts workbook provide opportunities to explore technical concepts further and prepare more focused conversations with your advisors.