Skip to Content

We are a Veteran Owned Business, providing 20% discounts for Veterans, First Responders, Elementary and High School teachers. Please contact us to set up a phone or Zoom meeting. Taking care of you and your family, It's What We Do!

Bypass Trusts

What is a Bypass Trust?

A Bypass Trust, or as it is sometimes called, a “Credit Shelter Trust,” Family Trust or “B Trust,” is an Irrevocable Trust designed to hold an amount that can be sheltered from death taxes.

What is the Purpose of a Bypass Trust?

The Bypass Trust not only preserves the deceased person’s death tax credit, but it also shelters the assets from the surviving spouse’s creditors and future spouses. The Bypass Trust can also be crafted to ensure that the assets pass to the deceased spouse’s children or family at the surviving spouse’s death, keeping them out of the hands of the surviving spouse’s subsequent spouse.

Typical Estate Questions About Bypass Trusts:

Here are some questions clients, beneficiaries, and Trustees ask:

How does the Bypass Trust Protect a Beneficiary from Death Taxes?

The Bypass Trust is funded with assets that use the deceased’s estate tax and generation tax exemption. This means that when the surviving spouse dies, the exemption shelters the trust assets from tax. Further, if the trust uses Dynasty Trusts, this same protection is passed down the bloodline.

What are the Pros of the Bypass Trust?

Tax shelter and asset protection.

Can I name any beneficiary to the Bypass Trust?

Yes, limited only by legal obligations you may have to your spouse.

Can only a Spouse be a Beneficiary to a Bypass Trust?

No, they are often called “Family Trusts” because the spouse and children can be beneficiaries.

Reasonable Prices, Years of Experience, We Make Estate Planning Easier

Feel free to contact us for more information. Once we understand what you need, we provide you a flat rate for your estate planning documents. If you have us do additional work, such as transferring deeds or obtaining an appraisal for your business, we will bill hourly. For more than two decades Klenk Law has focused only on Estate Law. This experience allows us to help you understand the process. We make it easy for you to understand.

We listen and provide our experience where you need it.

What Our clients are saying

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Nafeesha. B

When it came down to picking the right attorney to handle my affairs, I knew right away it was this firm. From speaking to their secretary to speaking to Peter I knew I was making the right decision. After only a few mins Peter knew right away what I was looking for and handled all my questions professionally and even gave me great feedback that put my mind at ease. All that without even giving a single penny! So of course I hired him! So far so good...

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Glenn P.

Peter Klenk ESQ is a thoughtful and capable attorney who we work with on estate planning issues. His firm recently provided us with new Wills, Power of Attorneys and our instructions regarding major health issues. These documents are important for estate and life planning. Peter and his team are masters in the complexities of Estate Law. We highly recommend Peter and his Associates to provide thoughtful advice and outstanding work on these complex issues of the law. Make sure your estate planning documents are up to date, and Peter can be relied on to do an excellent job. Well done Peter!

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Brian M.

Peter explained a complex subject very clearly, helped us to decide the best approach to managing our estate and then made it very easy for us to execute the required documents. He will be a valuable resource for years to come and clearly has a great understanding of estate law that will lead to innovative solutions for us. I would unhesitatingly recommend him for estate planning.

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Rocco D.

I have worked with Peter Klenk & his associates for some time now and I have found them to be ultra-qualified, knowledgeable and diligent about their work. I highly recommend them.

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Ronald W.

Peter and his staff are very responsive and always willing to help my clients and in a cost efficient manner.

Let us put our expertise to work for you.

Free consultation within 24 hours.