

Its A Matter Of Principle  And Trust When Using A Principle Trust



Discretion and flexibility offered

A principle trust guides the trustee's decisions by setting forth the principles and values you hope to instill in your beneficiaries. These principles and values may include virtually anything, from education and gainful employment to charitable endeavors and other "socially valuable" activities.

By providing the trustee with the discretion and flexibility to deal with each beneficiary and each situation on a case-by-case basis, it's more likely that the trust will reward behaviors that are consistent with your principles and discourage those that are not.


At the same time, the trustee of a principle trust has the flexibility to withhold funds from a beneficiary who appears to meet your requirements "on paper," but otherwise engages in behavior that violates your principles. Another advantage of a principle trust is that it gives the trustee the ability to withhold distributions from beneficiaries who neither need nor want the money, allowing the funds to continue growing and benefit future generations.

Not for everyone

Not everyone is comfortable providing a trustee with the broad discretion a principle trust requires. If it's important for you to prescribe the specific conditions under which trust distributions will be made or withheld, an incentive trust may be appropriate. But keep in mind that even the most carefully drafted incentive trust can sometimes lead to unintended results, and the slightest ambiguity can invite disputes.

On the other hand, if you're comfortable conferring greater power on your trustee, a principle trust can be one way to ensure that your wishes are carried out regardless of how your beneficiaries' circumstances change in the future. We can help you decide which trust type might be more appropriate for your specific situation.