Many of our listeners have established a trust for their assets upon passing. And while nobody wants to think about their mortality, today I explain what happens to that trust when you pass.

The first thing that happens is that your living revocable trust becomes an irrevocable trust, and your successor trustee is now in charge of it. Also, the trust will need its own tax ID number and have a return filed for it and any of its income for as long as the trust remains intact. In the event of the passing of a spouse, the surviving spouse or trustee will need to file separate returns for themselves and the trust. I also explain how the estate tax exemption can come into play here.

It's imperative to designate a contingent successor trustee. What if your spouse passes or can't successfully administer the trust? You'll want to have someone appointed who can step in.

Bruce explains some of the pros and cons of trusts. Trust taxable income hits the highest 35% tax bracket. But income distributed to beneficiaries is taxed at their personal tax rates. And while there's a cost to maintaining a trust, assets in a trust are some of the most protected in our tax code.

For more information about anything related to your finances, contact Bruce Hosler and the team at Hosler Wealth Management: Visit them online at https://www.hoslerwm.com/

Or call them in their Prescott office at (928) 778-7666 or their Scottsdale office at (480) 994-7342.

For more podcast episodes, visit our podcast website at https://hoslerwm.com/protectingwealthpodcast/

Limitation of Liability Disclosures:  https://www.hoslerwm.com/disclosures/#socialmedia

Copyright © 2022-2025 Hosler Wealth Management LLC, All Rights Reserved. #ProtectingWealthPodcast  #ProtectingandPreservingWealthPodcast #HoslerWealthManagement #BruceHosler