Many aspects of estate planning are about arranging the distribution of your assets and wealth (your “estate”) for after you die. But not everything in your estate plan is about when you’re not around. After all, power of attorney documents, for example, are used when you are still alive.
But what about living trusts?
In this article, we’ll talk about the intricacies of living trusts, their benefits, how to set one up, tax implications, the legal aspects of trusts, and more.
What is a Living Trust?
A living trust, also known as an inter vivos trust, is a legal arrangement in which you transfer assets into a trust during and after your lifetime. They can also be organized to end at death, with instructions to distribute the assets with the trust directly to the beneficiaries.
The person who creates the trust, known as the grantor or settlor, transfers ownership of their assets into the trust and typically serves as the initial trustee, maintaining control over the assets during their lifetime.
Unlike a will, which takes effect only after death, a living trust is usable immediately after you make it. But that isn’t to say that you can’t have both a will and a living trust, as there are benefits to each!
How it Works
The creation of a living trust involves the drafting of a trust document that outlines the terms and conditions governing the trust. The grantor names a successor trustee who will take over the management of the trust upon the grantor's incapacity or death. This successor trustee makes sure of the seamless transfer of assets to the trust's beneficiaries according to the grantor's wishes.
Purpose in Estate Planning
The primary purpose of a living trust in estate planning is to provide a flexible and comprehensive mechanism for managing and distributing assets while minimizing potential challenges.
Benefits of a Living Trust in Canada
Establishing a living trust can have various advantages, though it’s important to understand that it serves different purposes compared to estate planning with a will.
Asset Protection
One of the key benefits of a living trust is asset protection. By placing assets in a trust, they are shielded from potential creditors and legal claims. This protection can be particularly valuable in safeguarding family wealth for future generations.
Privacy
Unlike a will, which becomes a public document when it’s probated, a living trust offers a higher level of privacy. The terms and details of the trust remain confidential, allowing for a transfer of assets without public knowledge.
Avoiding Probate
Probate fees and delays can become significant drawbacks in traditional estate planning with a will. A living trust, as a legal entity separate from the estate, circumvents the probate process, making for faster distribution of assets and reducing associated costs.
Revocable vs Irrevocable Living Trusts
Understanding the distinctions between revocable and irrevocable living trusts is also a great way to find out if making a trust is the right thing for you.
Revocable Living Trusts
A revocable living trust allows the person who created the trust to make changes or revoke the trust during their lifetime. This flexibility is useful for those who may expect changes in their estate plan, such as getting married, having children, buying a house, or other lifestyle changes.
Irrevocable Living Trusts
In contrast, an irrevocable living trust cannot be altered or revoked without the consent of the beneficiaries. For example, this means that if you make this type of trust for your children, you cannot change it without your children’s consent.
While this limits flexibility, it provides greater asset protection and may offer potential tax benefits.
Determining which type of trust is suitable depends on individual circumstances, goals, and preferences. While revocable trusts can often be less expensive upfront, for example, irrevocable trusts could possibly protect assets better in certain circumstances, such as divorce.
How to Set Up a Living Trust in Canada
Setting up a living trust involves several steps and things to consider.
Required Documents
The process of making a living trust begins with drafting the trust document, which outlines the terms and conditions of the trust. Additionally, you’ll need a list of assets to be included in the trust as well.
Legal Assistance
While it is possible to create a basic living trust independently, seeking legal advice is recommended to navigate the complexities of Canadian trust law as well as the law in your own province.
Living Trust vs Will
While both living trusts and wills are essential components of estate planning, they serve different purposes.
Living trusts are active during life and possibly after death, though you can specify that they end at death too. They aren’t subject to probate so they don’t go public, which makes them more private estate planning tools compared to wills.
But they can be very costly. In addition to administrative costs associated with trusts, if you are a settlor of a living trust, you need to fund the trust while you are alive. It can be a lot more expensive than setting up a testamentary trust in your will, which is funded by your estate after you pass away.
Wills, on the other hand, relate to your estate, which is something that only forms once you pass away. Setting up a will can help you address other end-of-life wishes as well, such as guardianship for your dependants or your funeral wishes.
Wills are often much simpler and more affordable than setting up a trust. In the case of online wills, you can even create your own from the comfort of your home, without lawyers, in 20 minutes or less.
For a more detailed look, read our article comparing living trusts and wills.
Tax Implications of Living Trusts in Canada
Taxes, they’re inevitable!
Taxes are something we have to consider for almost every avenue of our lives. Understanding living trust tax implications can help you decide if making one is right for you.
Taxation of Trust Income
In Canada, trusts are subject to taxation on their income. The taxation framework varies between revocable and irrevocable trusts; a revocable trust is generally taxed at the settlor's marginal tax rate, and an irrevocable trust is taxed separately at the trust's own tax rate.
Potential Benefits and Drawbacks
While a living trust can offer certain tax advantages, such as income splitting among beneficiaries, you must also consider the potential drawbacks. For example, when the owner of a revocable trust dies, the assets inside the trust can also be subject to provincial and federal estate taxes.
This is not the case for irrevocable trusts, which is one of their strengths.
Legal Aspects and Canadian Living Trust Laws
Navigating the legal aspects of living trusts in Canada involves understanding the regulatory framework governing trusts. Trusts in Canada are primarily governed by provincial laws, with each province having its own trust legislation.
It can be pretty complex, which is why establishing a living trust is often done with a lawyer so that they can help you navigate through the process and abide by the specific regulations of the province in which you establish your trust.
Examples of Living Trusts in Canada
Family Succession
An owner of a successful software company establishes a living trust to make sure there is a seamless transition of her family business to her children, the next generation.
By placing her business assets in the trust, the owner can dictate the terms of succession, provide for family members, and protect the business from external claims.
Privacy Concerns
In another example, an Academy Award-winning actor with significant wealth, and concerns about privacy, opts for a living trust to maintain their privacy.
By placing their assets in a trust instead of a will, they avoid probate, and the details of their assets (and who those assets go to) remain confidential, preventing public scrutiny.
How much does it cost to set up a living trust in Canada?
The cost of setting up a living trust in Canada can vary depending on things such as the complexity of the trust, legal fees, and the involvement of professionals. On average, the living trust fees with lawyers start at a minimum of $1,000 and go up from there with hourly fees.
Is a living trust legal in Canada?
Yes, living trusts are legal in Canada, and they are recognized as effective tools for estate planning. But it’s important to comply with the specific legal requirements and regulations of the province in which the trust is established, they are generally done with the help of lawyers.
What is the difference between a living trust and a family trust?
While a living trust is a broader term encompassing trusts created during an individual's lifetime, a family trust is a specific type of living trust established to benefit family members. Family trusts are often used for estate planning and asset protection within the family context.
What are the pros and cons of a living trust?
Establishing a living trust benefits individuals by providing a legal mechanism for asset protection, privacy, and avoiding probate. Downsides may include the cost of establishing the trust and potential tax implications.
This is all to say that a living trust in Canada is a very powerful and flexible tool for effective estate planning. Understanding what they are, their pros and cons, and what is involved in setting them up can help you choose whether establishing a trust is the best move for you and your own circumstances.
Remember, you can have both a living trust and a will, as each has its own benefits.
If you’d like to create a will to give your family peace of mind beyond what a trust can provide, start your will today!
