Home     Law Advice     Insurance Advice     Community    
        View All Law Topics        Free Case Review        Legal Resource Directory        FreeAdvice Answers       
Home > Law Advice > Trusts > Declaration Trust Agreement
Trusts
  All States              Videos  
What is a ‘trust agreement’ or a ‘declaration of trust’?

These two terms refer to a written document that sets forth the terms and conditions of the Trust. The differences between them are largely matters of style and local practice.

Typical provisions in a Trust agreement or declaration of Trust for an individual or married couple include the following:

(1) a statement of the purpose of the Trust

(2) the names of the Trust creator's family members

(3) whether the Trust creator, or anyone else, may amend or revoke the Trust

(4) who will serve as the initial Trustee(s), and who would serve, and in what order, if the initial Trustee becomes unable or unwilling to serve, in the event of illness, death or for any other reason

(5) what powers the Trustee should have, in terms of investment and management, and what discretion the Trustee is to have in terms of releasing money to beneficiaries, such as for education

(6) who the beneficiaries of the Trust are, or how to determine them; the Trust creator and his or her spouse are typically beneficiaries in a Living Trust.

(7) who is to receive distribution of the Trust estate upon the death of the grantor, and

(8) when the beneficiaries would be entitled to receive the distributions, often at age 21, or half at age 21 and half at age 30.


Related Information
» Trust Basics
» Types of Trusts
» Setting Up Trusts
» Special Needs Trusts
» Trusts as Estate Planning Tools

Topics Related To Trusts
» Estate Planning
» Asset Protection
» Elder Law
» Probate
» Trusts
» Wills
» Living Wills / Power of Attorney
 
FREE CASE REVIEW
 



» Find a Trusts Attorney

» Ask a question in our Trusts  Forum

» Should You Write Your Own Will, Use an Online Form Service or Hire an Attorney?

» LegalZoom Review

» WillMaker Plus Review




HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime. State Law Center  |  Legal Resource Directory  |  Legal Articles  |  Insurance Advice and Quotes  |  FreeAdvice Answers  |  Community Forums
Media  |  Privacy Policy  |  About Us  |  Contact Us

FreeAdvice® has been providing millions of consumers with outstanding legal and insurance information and general advice, free, since 1995. While not a substitute for personal advice from a licensed professional, FreeAdvice is available AS IS, subject to our disclaimer and conditions of use.
FreeAdvice®, AttorneyPages®, ExpertPages® are registered trademarks and units of Advice Company.
All Rights Reserved © 1995-2009