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Credit Shelter Trusts

What is a Credit Shelter Trust?

A Credit Shelter Trust, or as it is sometimes called, a “Bypass 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 Credit Shelter Trust?

The Credit Shelter 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 Credit Shelter 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 next spouse.

Typical Estate Questions About Credit Shelter Trusts:

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

How does the Credit Shelter Trust Protect a Beneficiary from Death Taxes?

The Credit Shelter Trust preserves the deceased person’s estate and generation-skipping exemption, preventing the trust assets from being included in the surviving spouse’s and children’s taxable estate.

What are the Pros of the Credit Shelter Trust?

Asset protection, tax avoidance and the ability to keep assets within the family.

What are the Credit Shelter Trust Cons?

The trust has a separate tax ID number, so must file a separate tax return.

Can I Name any Beneficiary to the Credit Shelter Trust?

Yes, you are not limited to the family.

Can only a Spouse be a Beneficiary of a Credit Shelter Trust?

No, a Credit Shelter Trust often includes the children.

Reasonable Prices | Years of Experience | We Make Credit Shelter Trusts and Estate Planning Easier

If you have any questions about Credit Shelter Trusts or any other estate planning topics, please contact us to schedule a free consultation. For more than two decades Klenk Law has focused only on Estate Law. We’ve seen it all, and this experience allows us to explain complex estate law and planning techniques clearly and concisely. We make it easy for you to understand Credit Shelter Trusts so you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.

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Fantastically easy and efficient team to work with getting our wills done. We will use Klenk again in the years to come. I highly recommend Peter Klenk.

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My family and I was pleased with the service, and insight of Klenk Law. All of our questions and concerns were patiently answered. I will be referring this firm to many family and friends to assist with real estate planning etc. Thank Klenk Law

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We have been using Klenk law for a decade. Always good advice and fast execution. Highly recommended!

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Matthew Wentz

My experience with Klenk Law was nothing shy of amazing. I had done some quick research when searching for an estate attorney and was immediately drawn to Klenk Law being a veteran owned business and due to their support for veterans, first responders, and teachers . Every member of their staff was knowledgeable and patient through every step of the process and with all of my questions. They were honest and transparent with pricing and expectations. They were very timely with communications and kept me in the loop throughout the process. I will definitely recommend Klenk Law to friends and family.

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David Major

Had our will done with Peter and his team. Made the process super easy and understandable. His team lead by Laura Parisi were always available for questions and assistance. Professional and personable they made what can be a challenging experience hopeful and graceful. Cannot recommend their services enough!

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