Irrevocable trusts are usually effective at shielding assets from creditors, but many types of irrevocable trusts require the grantor to relinquish control and ownership of the asset upon transferring the asset to the trust.
Generally speaking, the type of trust in question determines whether a creditor or collector could attempt to access the assets inside. In most situations, the less control a beneficiary has over their trust, the less likely it is that a creditor could seize the assets.
As one would likely guess, the trust itself is responsible for its own debts. The trustee's role is to manage the trust, not personally bankroll it. That means, so long as the trust has cashflow, then those funds are to be used to address the trust's debts and expenses, with the trustee writing the checks.
Once you transfer your assets into such a trust, they are no longer under your personal control—making them inaccessible to those who might seek to seize them. This permanence provides a sturdy barrier against potential threats, ensuring that your wealth remains intact for your beneficiaries.
Irrevocable living trusts are almost always completely protected from creditors, as they were entirely out of your loved one's ownership and control. Other types of trusts that do not go through probate, such as revocable trusts or charitable trusts, can still be claimed by creditors, at the court's discretion.
Under California law, embezzling trust funds or property valued at $950 or less is a misdemeanor offense and is punishable by up to 6 months in county jail. If a trustee embezzles more than $950 from the trust, they can be charged with felony embezzlement, which carries a sentence of up to 3 years in jail.
Typically a trust will provide that the trustee may borrow money in the name of the trust, guarantee the debts of trust ben- eficiaries, and pledge and encumber assets of the trust estate.
So, what assets aren't exempt in California bankruptcy cases? Valuable art and collectibles, luxury vehicles, investment accounts that aren't linked to retirement, cash, second homes, high equity homes, and expensive jewelry or valuables are all non-exempt assets that a trustee can legally sell to repay creditors.
Trustees are personally liable for all decisions they take in that capacity, and their liability is not automatically limited to the value of the trust fund.
California law does allow creditors to pursue a decedent's potentially inheritable assets.
The IRS and Irrevocable Trusts
This means that generally, the IRS cannot touch your assets in an irrevocable trust. It's always a good idea to consult with an estate planning attorney to ensure you're making the right decision when setting up your trust, though.
For example, retirement accounts, IRAs, both qualified and depending on state laws, and some estate plans. Those are generally exempt, although there's special rules for those. Life insurance, that's another exemption. Creditors in many circumstances can't reach assets.
As a result, a creditor could go after the trust, seek its termination, and gain access to assets within it. So, to be absolutely clear: A revocable living trust does not protect assets from creditors.
Revocable Trusts
Say, for example, that they place their house in a trust, they can then sell the property or remove it from the trust at any time. For these trusts, the assets within them remain part of the grantor's taxable estate, meaning it receives no creditor protection. However, they do avoid probate.
They can be sold, but these transactions are typically more complicated than traditional home sales. Selling a home in California will take time. Even if you have a motivated buyer, the transaction still might not be completed for several weeks or months after an offer has been accepted.
Debt collectors can only take money from your paycheck, bank account, or benefits—which is called garnishment—if they have already sued you and a court entered a judgment against you for the amount of money you owe. The law sets certain limits on how much debt collectors can garnish your wages and bank accounts.
Irrevocable trusts
This can give you greater protection from creditors and estate taxes. As stated above, you can set up your will or revocable trust to automatically create irrevocable trusts at the time of your death. When you use your will to create irrevocable trusts, it's called a testamentary trust.
Per California trust law, if a trustee takes money from the trust for personal use, even if it's an authorized loan, then this action will be highly scrutinized, and there will be the presumption that they have breached their fiduciary duty of loyalty.
Can Creditors Garnish a Trust? Yes, judgment creditors may be able to garnish assets in some situations. However, the amount they can collect in California is limited to the distributions the debtor/beneficiary is entitled to receive from the trust.
After Distribution. Things are different after you receive distributions. If you receive money or other assets from your asset protection trust, and a creditor has a legitimate claim to your funds to pay for debts, those assets could be vulnerable to seizure. This makes a certain amount of sense, after all.
It helps to remember that a Trust is a separate legal entity. The Trustees and beneficiaries are not personally liable for debts owed by the Trust. The Trustee is acting in a fiduciary capacity. The Trustee is required to gather the assets and pay the Trust debts.
While trust accountings can be an everyday occurrence in estate law, trustee fraud and embezzlement are just some of the startling discoveries that can be made. Fraudulently appropriating property that belongs to someone else, also known as embezzlement, is a serious crime.
The trustee generally has the authority to withdraw money from a trust to cover the cost of third-party professionals, as well as any other expenses arising as a result of administration.
Trustees found guilty of self-dealing or conflicts of interest can be held personally liable for resulting damages and may face removal from their position.