A reader shared a horrific story about a fight over his father’s estate and demanded to know why I was not telling people they can avoid all those problems by avoiding probate.

I took up the challenge and this is the sixth column in a series about avoiding probate. I recommend starting at the beginning of the series. Let me know if you have difficulty finding earlier columns and I’ll help you.

That said, buckle up for some fun. This week is about trusts.

The concept of a trust originated in medieval England. Landowners who went off to fight in the Crusades needed their lands to be managed and their families to be looked after.

They (the “settlor”) would transfer ownership of their lands to a trusted friend (the “trustee”) to hold and manage for the benefit of their family (the “beneficiaries”).

A written agreement, signed by the settlor and trustee would set out the terms of the arrangement:

1. What lands and other property were being transferred to the trustee.

2. Identifying the beneficiaries and indicating how the........

© Castanet