A dynasty trust is a tool to help affluent families protect, manage and preserve their wealth for multiple generations. It is intended to pass down assets from parents or grandparents to their grandchildren and beyond, in order to ensure that the family’s wealth is not subject to estate or income taxes. Dynasty trusts are also referred to as perpetual or generation-skipping trusts.

Under current federal law, a dynasty trust is allowed to store up to $12. 06 million ($12. 92 million in 2023) without incurring estate taxes. This allows wealthy individuals to leave money to future generations without worrying about excessive taxation. However, there are limits as to how long the trust can last. In some cases, the trust must be completely emptied after 90 years, while in others, the trust may need to be emptied after 21 years.

Dynasty trusts are irrevocable, which means that once they are set up, the terms of the trust cannot be changed. This ensures that the trust beneficiaries will continue to receive the same benefits for many years to come. The trustee of the trustee has the power to determine how the assets are distributed to the beneficiaries each year. In addition, trustees may also determine how the assets are managed and invested, as well as modify the trust in order to ensure long-term financial stability.

In addition to providing tax benefits, dynasty trusts can help protect the trust’s assets from creditors, lawsuits, economic downturns, and other unforeseen factors. The trustee can also control how funds are transferred between generations, ensuring that each generation receives the maximum benefit.

Compared to traditional wills and living trusts, dynasty trusts offer a great deal of flexibility and control over the transfer of wealth. While it does come with some costs for setting up the trust, its long-term benefits can far outweigh any short-term financial loss. With careful planning, dynasty trusts can ensure that Family wealth is passed down from one generation to the next for many years.