{"id":358061,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:22","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/trusts.html"},"modified":"2026-01-27T11:08:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T16:08:00","slug":"trusts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/trusts.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Trust?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is a Trust?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aisha Success, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A trust is a legal arrangement that allows a trustee to hold and manage assets for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. Because trusts can be complex, many people work with an estate planning attorney to choose the right type of trust and ensure it fits their overall estate plan.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trust can help you manage property during your lifetime, avoid or streamline probate, and control how your assets are distributed after death. Even if your estate cannot avoid probate<\/a>, having certain assets in a trust, including real estate, can expedite the probate process.<\/p>\n

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This article explains how trusts work and the role they play in your estate plan. You’ll also learn how an estate planning attorney<\/a> can help with this process.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Do I Need An Attorney for a Trust?<\/h2>\n

It’s not required to hire legal help to create a trust. You may draft this yourself or use an online service.
But guidance from an estate planning attorney<\/a> can be incredibly valuable. This is especially true if you:<\/p>\n