Home / Trusts & Charitable Planning
For owners of $2M–$50M companiesFor owners thinking past the transaction.
Trust and charitable planning for a business owner is the work of moving ownership and future growth into structures such as spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs), grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), dynasty trusts and charitable LLCs. When a business is worth a lot, a single trust rarely does the job; the plan usually layers several, each matched to an asset, a family goal and a moment like a raise or a sale.
Signs it’s time.
If two or more of these sound familiar, this is likely where you’ll be matched.
- A raise or sale could change what the business is worth.
- Your planning is a will, or a revocable trust and nothing else.
- You want the family to benefit without handing over control today.
- You give to charity and want more say in how it’s done.
- Someone pitched you a trust or charitable structure, and you want a second opinion.
The plan is built around the business, not bolted on after the deal.
- Structures are sequenced around a raise, a sale or a change in the exemption.
- Business interests get independent valuations, so the plan holds up later.
- Trusts are coordinated with the sale and the company’s tax plan by one team.
- Pitched structures get an honest review before you sign anything.
What’s typically included
- Spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs)
- Grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs)
- Intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs)
- Dynasty trusts for later generations
- Charitable LLCs and giving strategy
- Funding, valuations, Form 709 gift tax returns and trustee selection
Trusts & Charitable Planning, answered.
What is a dynasty trust?
A dynasty trust is a long-term trust designed to hold assets for children, grandchildren and later generations. Allocating your generation-skipping transfer tax exemption to it can keep the assets from being subject to estate tax at each generation.
What is a SLAT?
A spousal lifetime access trust (SLAT) moves assets out of your taxable estate using your lifetime gift exemption, while your spouse can still benefit from the trust. It is a common way for owners to use their exemption without giving up all access to the wealth.
When should a business owner set up trusts?
Usually well before a raise or sale, while the business’s value is lower. Transfers made then use less of your exemption, and more of the growth happens outside your estate. Whether any structure fits depends on your assets and family, so it needs case-by-case review.
Not quite the right fit?
Bring us the decision in front of you.
A one-minute application, then a few questions about your structure, books and advisors. The first call opens with a plan instead of an interview.
Start your assessment