--- title: Trusts --- [**Phone:** (773) 983-9117](tel:773-983-9117) 950 Milwaukee Ave, Ste 302, Glenview, IL 60025 [![logo-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-1.png)](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/home-page?hsLang=en) - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Estate Planning](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/) - [Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/) - [Trusts](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/) - [Powers of Attorney for Health Care](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-health-care/) - [Powers of Attorney for Property](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-property/) - [Living Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/living-wills/) - [Transfer on Death Instruments (TODIs)](https://www.jkelaw.com/transfer-on-death-instruments) - [Probate](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/probate/) - [Estate Administration](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-administration/) - [Guardianship](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/guardianship/) - [Residential Real Estate Sales](https://www.jkelaw.com/residential-real-estate-sales) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) [SCHEDULE CONSULTATION](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ![logo-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-1.png) - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Estate Planning](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/) - [Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/) - [Trusts](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/) - [Powers of Attorney for Health Care](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-health-care/) - [Powers of Attorney for Property](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-property/) - [Living Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/living-wills/) - [Transfer on Death Instruments (TODIs)](https://www.jkelaw.com/transfer-on-death-instruments) - [Probate](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/probate/) - [Estate Administration](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-administration/) - [Guardianship](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/guardianship/) - [Residential Real Estate Sales](https://www.jkelaw.com/residential-real-estate-sales) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) [SCHEDULE CONSULTATION](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ![cropped-view-of-judge-in-judicial-robe-sitting-at-2023-02-08-20-31-17-utc](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/cropped-view-of-judge-in-judicial-robe-sitting-at-2023-02-08-20-31-17-utc.jpg) # Trusts Trusts are estate planning tools which can be used to assure an individual’s wishes are carried out properly.  A trust is a document in which one person (the settlor) directs another person (the trustee) to hold property for the benefit of a third person (the beneficiary).  However, it is possible for the trustee, the settlor and the beneficiary to be the same person, such as when someone creates a living trust.   Trusts can be used to select a guardian for minor children, prevent guardianship for disabled adults, avoid probate, minimize estate taxes, keep information private and deal with a multitude of other issues.  The most common trusts are briefly explained below, but there are a myriad of different strategies and trusts that may be implemented in addition to those listed. ![judge-gavel-with-justice-lawyers-2022-11-15-15-28-00-utc](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/judge-gavel-with-justice-lawyers-2022-11-15-15-28-00-utc.jpg) ![009-home-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/009-home-1.svg) Living Trusts: ### Living Trusts: The most common type of trust. Used to select a guardian for minor children, avoid guardianship for disabled adults, avoid probate, and keep information private. ![010-family-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/010-family-1.svg) Q-Tip Trusts: ### Q-Tip Trusts: Often used for second marriages. Used to allow a beneficiary (usually a spouse) to receive income during his or her life and distributes the remaining property to other beneficiaries. ![011-trust-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/011-trust-1.svg) Special Needs Trusts: ### Special Needs Trusts: Used for disabled individuals so they may receive funds in addition to government benefits. ![012-life-insurance-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/012-life-insurance-1.svg) Credit Shelter Trusts/Family Trusts & Marital Trusts/A-B Trusts: ### Credit Shelter Trusts/Family Trusts & Marital Trusts/A-B Trusts: Used to minimize estate taxes for married couples. ![013-agreement-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/013-agreement-1.svg) Irrevocable Trusts: ### Irrevocable Trusts: Used to remove rapidly appreciating property, such as life insurance, from an estate, minimize estate taxes and protect assets from creditors. ![014-charitable-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/014-charitable-1.svg) Charitable Trusts: ### Charitable Trusts: Used to give funds to a charitable organization and receive favorable tax treatment. ![015-bank-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/015-bank-1.svg) Bank Trusts/Payable on Death Accounts: ### Bank Trusts/Payable on Death Accounts: Used to transfer funds upon death by adding someone’s name to a bank account. ![016-land-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/016-land-1.svg) Land Trusts: ### Land Trusts: Used to protect real estate from creditors and avoid probate. ![003-tax-2](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/003-tax-2.svg) Generation Skipping Trusts (GST Trusts) ### Generation Skipping Trusts (GST Trusts) Generation skipping trusts (GST Trusts) are often used to primarily benefit a person’s children. ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ![logo-footer](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-footer.png) **Disclaimer:** None of the information on this website is legal advice. The information is for informational and educational purposes. The information may also be considered marketing or advertising material. #### Sitemap - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Areas Served](https://www.jkelaw.com/areas-served) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) #### Contact Us [(773) 983-9117](tel:7739839117) 950 Milwaukee Ave, Ste 302 Glenview, IL 60025 #### Follow us [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jacob.ehrensaft.9/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobehrensaft/) [Follow us on Facebook](mailto:sales@jkelaw.com) © 2026 Law Offices of Jacob K. Ehrensaft, LLC All Rights Reserved. Powered By: [OneIMS](https://oneims.com)