Beware of living trust scams targeting elderly residents across the nation. A living trust is a written legal instrument allowing you to place your assets into trust for the benefit of your beneficiaries. A trustee manages the living trust on your behalf. The written instrument earns its name from the fact that you create a living trust while you are still living. A living trust may be irrevocable or revocable. You may not alter or revoke an irrevocable living trust document, unlike a revocable living trust, which you can revoke or amend. Living trusts are useful estate planning tools, but they are not appropriate for everyone.
A living trust is not a one-size-fits-all solution to estate planning. Typically, a living trust is only one part of your estate planning documents, which also includes a written will. Furthermore, a living trust must comply with specific state laws, and in Texas, the Probate Code establishes the statutory requirements when creating a valid living trust. A living trust does not help you avoid probate; since a will and a living trust is not the same thing, although they may serve similar purposes. An attorney licensed to practice law in Texas will probably not use prepackaged living trust forms and will help you create a specifically tailored document.
If you fall victim to a living trust scam, you may have a right to cancel your transaction within three days under federal law if you entered into it during a door-to-door sales transaction.
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