1605 Main Street · Suite 912 · Sarasota · Florida · 34236
Tel 941·365·2252 · Fax 941·366·9047 · Firm@Scovills.com

Married

A revocable living, or inter vivos, trust is created and funded during the settlors' lifetime.  According to Florida law it is a separate entity and can hold assets.  During the settlors' lifetime, they maintain control of and enjoyment of the trust assets.  Immediately upon their death, the successor trustee, who they have named, takes over and follows the settlors' directions as explained in the trust agreement.

Because the settlors' assets are owned by the trust, and the trust never dies, there is no need for the assets to go through probate.  Instead, control of the assets transfers to the successor trustee upon the death or incapacity of the last settlor.

Also, because the trust is revocable, the settlors can change the terms of the trust and transfer assets in to and out of the trust as they please.  The trust only becomes irrevocable upon the death of the last settlor.