Is a trust only for the very rich?

A good trust is definitely not only for the very rich. People create trusts for different reasons. The three primary ones are (1) avoidance of probate, (2) asset protection from creditors and (3) the ability to control your assets and how they are used for a long time after your death. So, your decision about forming a trust should be made after considering if you have a good reason for doing so, not how much money you have. Everyone who cares about his loved ones should carefully consider forming one for at least the first reason. When you place your assets in trust, you no longer legally own them, but you still control them and can utilize them any way you see fit. However, when you die, since you do not have legal ownership, you have no personal assets and thus do not have to go through probate. Your assets can go immediately to your heirs instead of waiting a year or more for the probate process. This is especially important for small business owners and family owned businesses, since there is no stoppage of the business waiting for probate. Trusts can be very affordable yet are very valuable to everyone invloved.