Estate Planning and Trust Services

Estate Planning

An increasing number of our clients are discovering the potential benefits of a trust — how it can help protect their assets, reduce their tax obligations, and define the management of assets according to their wishes in a private, effective way.  We are pleased to offer you a comprehensive array of trust services - customized to meet your individual needs.

What Is a Trust?

A trust is simply your instructions for the management of all or part of your property. An attorney who represents you and has specific expertise in the area of estate planning should write your trust. The trust document describes:

  • How you want your assets managed, and eventually dispersed?

  • Who you want to benefit now and in the future?

  • Who you want responsible for carrying out these instructions?

What Can a Trust Do For You?

Trusts can provide a measure of comfort knowing that you have a plan in place to help provide for the safe and accountable management of family assets and to direct their use in accordance with your wishes, goals and objectives.

Trusts are used to ensure the proper management of your assets at all three stages of your life:

  1. During your active lifetime, placing assets in a trust allows you freedom to continue managing your assets or to devote time to other priorities. A trust created and funded during your life is generally called a “living” or “revocable” trust.

  2. In the event you are incapacitated, a trust can ensure your needs are met and your finances are kept in good order for your benefit.

  3. Upon your death, a trust becomes “irrevocable,” and your assets are managed and distributed by your trustee, in accordance with your instructions throughout the trust’s existence.

  4. An estate planning attorney may recommend creating an irrevocable trust during your lifetime, in addition to a revocable trust. This may provide creditor protection, controlled giving to family members or estate tax minimization.

Trusts also provide protection for family members who may be unaccustomed to dealing with financial matters. They can offer protection of assets in case of divorce or other litigation. Trusts can assure funding is available for specific needs, such as education, health care or charitable interests. Trusts provide a framework in which money is managed in a predictable fashion, by persons you choose, according to standards you set. Trusts create guidelines for current and future distributions that reflect your wishes. Trusts may also have substantial tax benefits and provide an expedient method to transfer assets.

To discuss your family's estate planning needs or to obtain additional information about the Private Trust Company, please call our office at 480-722-0202.

Moving your Current Trust to PTC

  • The Private Trust Company can often take over revocable and irrevocable trusts in which another bank or trust company is presently serving as trustee.

Naming PTC in a Current or Future Capacity

  • The Private Trust Company may be named as trustee or successor trustee in new revocable or irrevocable trusts. Or, you may amend your trust document to name The Private Trust Company as successor trustee for an existing trust. Your estate planning attorney can assist you in naming The Private Trust Company as trustee or successor trustee.

LPL Financial Planners offer access to trust services through The Private Trust Company N.A., an affiliate of LPL Financial.