Trust Library

Trust Types &
Information Guide

Explore 29 trust structures with plain-language explanations, side-by-side comparisons, and use-case overviews. Find the right trust for your estate plan — from revocable living trusts and foreign trusts to charitable and dynasty trusts.

Last reviewed: March 18, 2026

Reviewed against: IRS, SSA, FDIC, and legal reference materials on the sources page.

Publisher: Larry Trustee AI Editorial Team | hello@larrytrustee.ai

Getting Started

Choose by Planning Goal

Start with the trust category that matches your estate planning objective.

🏠

Probate Avoidance

Start with the revocable living trust and living trust vs. will guides.

💚

Beneficiary Protection

Explore special needs trust and spendthrift trust guides.

🎁

Charitable Giving

Review charitable remainder and charitable lead trust guides.

🌎

International Planning

Learn about foreign trusts, IRS reporting requirements, and cross-border considerations.

Foundations

Core Trust Types

The foundational trust structures that form the basis of most estate plans.

🏠 Revocable Living Trust 🔒 Irrevocable Trust 📜 Testamentary Trust 🕐 Inter Vivos Trust

Protection

Family & Beneficiary Protection Trusts

Trust structures designed to protect beneficiaries, manage distributions, and safeguard assets across generations.

💚 Special Needs Trust 💰 Spendthrift Trust 👪 Generation-Skipping Trust 🏰 Dynasty Trust 🛡 Asset Protection Trust

International

Foreign & International Trusts

Trusts established under non-U.S. jurisdictions with specific IRS reporting obligations and cross-border planning considerations.

🌎 Foreign Trust

A foreign trust is established under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States. The IRS requires specific reporting for U.S. persons who create, transfer assets to, or receive distributions from foreign trusts, including Form 3520 and Form 3520-A. Foreign trusts are commonly used for international asset protection, cross-border estate planning, and multi-jurisdictional wealth management.

Charitable

Charitable Trust Structures

Split-interest trusts designed for charitable giving while preserving income or remainder interests for family.

🎁 Charitable Remainder Trust 💜 Charitable Lead Trust 🌐 Pooled Income Fund

Tax Strategy

Tax & Advanced Planning Trusts

Specialized trust structures for tax-efficient wealth transfer, retained interests, and gifting strategies.

👤 Grantor Trust 🆕 Crummey Trust 📈 GRAT (Grantor Retained Annuity) 📉 GRUT (Grantor Retained Unitrust) 💲 GRIT (Grantor Retained Income) 🏡 Qualified Personal Residence Trust

Business

Business & Insurance Trusts

Trust structures for S-corporation ownership, insurance proceeds control, and business succession planning.

📝 Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) 🏢 Qualified Subchapter S Trust (QSST) 💼 Electing Small Business Trust (ESBT) 📋 ILIT Funding & Crummey Notices

Decision Guide

How to Choose Between Trust Types

The right choice depends on timing, control, tax treatment, beneficiary needs, asset type, and whether the plan involves domestic or international considerations. Larry Trustee AI uses an AI-guided interview to help you evaluate these tradeoffs before generating your trust packet.

FAQ

Trust Types FAQ

What trust type is most commonly used for probate avoidance?

A revocable living trust is one of the most common probate-avoidance structures because it can hold assets during life and continue under successor trustee management after death.

What is a foreign trust?

A foreign trust is a trust established under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States. The IRS has specific reporting requirements for U.S. persons who create, transfer assets to, or receive distributions from foreign trusts, including Form 3520 and Form 3520-A. Foreign trusts are used for international asset protection, cross-border estate planning, and multi-jurisdictional wealth management.

What trust types are usually considered advanced or specialized?

Foreign trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts, asset protection trusts, generation-skipping trusts, dynasty trusts, Crummey trusts, GRAT or GRUT structures, QPRTs, ILITs, QSSTs, and ESBTs are usually more specialized and should be reviewed carefully with qualified counsel.

Can one trust type fit every estate plan?

No. The right trust type depends on control, beneficiary needs, asset mix, probate goals, tax considerations, and whether international or domestic planning is involved.

Trust Types &Information Guide