Testamentary Trusts

Set the Terms for How Your Legacy Is Managed

A testamentary trust is a trust that is created through your Will and only goes into effect after you pass. It gives you the ability to set specific conditions on how your assets are managed and distributed, which can be especially valuable if your beneficiaries are young, financially inexperienced, or need structured support.

Robin White helps clients across Tennessee and Mississippi build testamentary trusts that protect their legacy and provide long-term security for the people they care about.

How a Testamentary Trust Works

Unlike a revocable living trust, which is established during your lifetime, a testamentary trust is embedded in your Will. When you pass, the trust is created according to your instructions. A trustee you've named takes over management of the designated assets and distributes them according to the terms you set.

This means you can:

Specify that your children receive their inheritance in stages, such as at ages 25, 30, and 35, rather than all at once
Appoint a responsible adult to manage assets on behalf of minor children
Protect an inheritance from a beneficiary's creditors, divorce, or poor financial decisions
Direct funds toward specific purposes, such as education, healthcare, or housing
Provide ongoing support for a surviving spouse while preserving assets for your children

When a Testamentary Trust Makes Sense

Testamentary trusts are commonly used when:

You have minor children and want to ensure their inheritance is managed responsibly until they are old enough to handle it
You have adult children or beneficiaries who may not be ready to manage a large inheritance
You are in a blended family and want to provide for your spouse while ensuring your children from a previous marriage are provided for adequately.
You want to include charitable giving as part of your estate plan
You want more control over the distribution timeline than a simple Will provides

What to Expect When Working with Robin

Robin will help you decide whether a testamentary trust is the right tool for your goals, or whether a living trust or another structure might serve you better. If a testamentary trust is the right fit, he will draft it into your Will with clear terms and appoint a trustee who is up to the task. Everything is explained in plain language, so you understand exactly what your plan does and why.

Let's build a plan that protects your legacy. Schedule a consultation with Robin →