What is the elusive often misunderstood Trust. Wealth Management Topic

A trust is a contract that gives an individual or an institution—like U.S. Bank, for example—the authority to hold legal title to assets while managing them for the benefit of others. Trusts can help you ensure that your assets are distributed and managed according to your wishes. US BANK Rich Snippet

I would like to introduce you to Trusts and the history and also how they are used in Banking.

In the 12th century and middle ages of English Knights whom were about to go on crusade needed a safe place to keep their wealth and have it benefit someone else “IF” they were captured, tortured and placed into indentured servitude for the rest of their short lives. So wouldn’t make sense to have a place to have all your wealth act like a “Will” in a way? Of course. So they would go to the London Finance Center which is a little Banking Town inside of London the City and its sole purpose in this small finance town is to act as a separate entity to ensure personal Land, Assets, and wealth was taken care of and used in the correct manor under English Law. These stewards in Banking were often bound by law so nothing could ever separate the Beneficiary from the Assets.

The legal owner would hold the land for the benefit of the original owner, and would be compelled to convey it back to him when requested. The Crusader was the “beneficiary” and the acquaintance the “trustee”. The term “use of land” was coined, and in time developed into what we now know as a “trust”.

The Beneficiary is the person who is entitled to the benefits and entitlements of the TRUST. Now with this said. Beneficiary’s do not “OWN” the TRUST. They are the Beneficiary of the Trust. Trustee’s are the legal stewards of the land or Assets. Often times Attorneys have their own Trusts being officers of the courts in United States.

Is a beneficiary an owner of a trust? In legal jargon, trust and will attorneys refer to Trust beneficiaries as the “equitable owners” of the Trust. Beneficiaries will receive money and other assets from the Trust either outright (meaning being paid all at once) or in smaller amounts over time, based on the provisions in the Trust document.

Thanks for reading, we hope you found this useful. Use the links if you would like to know more.

J.S.