Some things, though, do not belong in a living trust.

"There are some really good reasons to use a living trust.

She bequeathed the land to her four sons in a living trust.

Everything in a living trust is included in the estate.

Living trusts aren't appropriate for everyone, however, and the relevant laws are complex.

Avoiding probate is not the only reason to choose a living trust.

Mike arranged for a living trust, so Carl can stay in his home until the day he dies and never worry about a thing.

If someone tries to sell a living trust to you ask if they are an attorney.

The Glasses had substantial assets that made them prime candidates for a living trust.

Some states restrict sales of living trusts by licensed attorneys.

"The average middle-class person doesn't need a living trust."

The most popular type is the revocable living trust.

Unless you have a will or a living trust, the court system must step in and appoint a guardian."

With a living trust, the person responsible for these details is a trustee, rather than an executor, as under a will.

Find out if living trusts are right for you and how to protect yourself from scams when planning your estate.

So, he said, if all of a person's assets are in a living trust, they pass to beneficiaries without being subject to probate.

Living trusts also, in practical terms, tend to be driven to large extent by tax considerations.

Sure there are living trusts and that is about all a lawyer would normally know about.

Under South African law living trusts are considered tax payers.

I wrote the board asking for information because I am considering a revocable living trust.

"And living trusts simply are not as complicated as lawyers want them to be.

"Almost everyone we talked to encouraged us to get a living trust," Mr. Glass said.

To the Editor: While legal fees can be reduced with a living trust, they are not necessarily eliminated.

But does creating a living trust avoid probate?

A living trust can designate a surrogate to manage assets in the event of incapacity.