Trusts in Massachusetts
Attorney Chanise Anderson
- 500 E Washington St, North Attleborough, MA 02760
Based on 100+ Select Reviews
Protect Your Assets, Avoid Probate, and Build a Legacy That Lasts
A trust is one of the most powerful tools in estate planning. It allows you to control how your assets are managed and distributed — during your lifetime, in the event of incapacity, and after your death — without the delays and costs of probate.
At The Law Offices of Chanise Anderson, we help Massachusetts families, professionals, and business owners create trusts that do more than just transfer assets. Our trusts protect wealth from creditors, preserve privacy, reduce estate taxes, and ensure that your legacy reaches future generations exactly as you intend.
We serve clients across Boston, North Attleboro, Worcester, Springfield, and throughout Massachusetts, offering both in-person and virtual estate planning consultations.
What Is a Trust?
A trust is a legal arrangement that allows one person (the trustee) to hold and manage assets on behalf of another person (the beneficiary). The person creating the trust is called the grantor or settlor.
The grantor sets the rules — who benefits, how much they receive, and under what conditions. The trustee carries out those wishes, following the terms of the trust agreement.
Unlike a will, which only takes effect after death and must go through probate, a trust becomes effective as soon as it’s signed and funded. This makes it one of the most efficient ways to manage and protect your estate.
Protect Your Assets with a Massachusetts Trust
A properly drafted trust can help avoid probate, protect your assets, and ensure your wealth is passed on according to your wishes.
Why You Should Consider a Trust?
Trusts provide numerous advantages beyond what a will alone can accomplish:
Avoid Probate
Probate in Massachusetts can take months and require court involvement. Assets in a properly funded trust pass directly to beneficiaries, saving time, privacy, and legal fees.
Maintain Privacy
Wills become public record once probated. Trusts remain private, keeping your assets, beneficiaries, and family matters confidential.
Plan for Incapacity
A trust ensures that if you become unable to manage your affairs, your chosen trustee can handle assets immediately — without the need for court-appointed conservatorship.
Protect Beneficiaries
Through spendthrift provisions or discretionary distributions, a trust can shield assets from a beneficiary’s creditors, divorces, or poor financial decisions.
Reduce Taxes
Trusts can help minimize estate and gift taxes through strategic structuring, especially for high-net-worth individuals.
Preserve Real Estate and Family Businesses
You can hold property or company interests inside a trust, preventing forced sales or probate-related delays.
Create Multi-Generational Wealth
Properly designed dynasty or legacy trusts can preserve assets for your children, grandchildren, and beyond.
Common Types of Trusts We Create
At The Law Offices of Chanise Anderson, we create customized trusts that align with your goals. Some of the most common include:
A revocable living trust allows you to manage your assets during your lifetime and seamlessly transfer them to your beneficiaries upon death — all while avoiding probate. You retain full control of the assets and can amend or revoke the trust at any time. Best for: Homeowners, families with property in multiple states, and anyone seeking privacy and simplicity.
Once established, an irrevocable trust cannot be easily changed — but in exchange, it offers stronger asset protection and potential estate tax benefits. Assets transferred into an irrevocable trust are no longer considered part of your taxable estate. Best for: High-net-worth individuals and families seeking tax minimization and long-term wealth preservation.
A spendthrift trust protects beneficiaries who may be financially inexperienced, struggling with debt, or vulnerable to creditors. The trustee controls distributions, and assets remain protected from lawsuits, divorces, and poor spending habits. Best for: Parents or grandparents who want to provide support while maintaining control and protection.
A special needs trust allows you to provide for a loved one with a disability without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits like SSI or Medicaid. Best for: Families caring for individuals with lifelong or developmental disabilities.
Created through your will and activated upon your death, a testamentary trust can hold assets for minor children, dependents, or other beneficiaries who may not be ready to inherit outright. Best for: Parents of young children or blended families.
An advanced planning tool that separates personal and business assets to shield them from lawsuits, creditors, or professional liability. Best for: Entrepreneurs, real estate investors, physicians, and professionals with higher liability exposure.
Allows you to support charitable organizations while providing tax deductions and potential income for yourself or your heirs. Best for: Philanthropically-minded individuals and families seeking tax-efficient giving strategies.
The Process of Creating a Trust
We make the process simple and transparent:
- Consultation & Strategy – We discuss your assets, goals, and family dynamics to identify which type of trust best fits your situation.
- Drafting the Trust Agreement – We create customized legal language that reflects your intent, controls distributions, and protects against creditors.
- Funding the Trust – This step transfers ownership of assets — such as real estate, bank accounts, and investments — into the trust’s name.
- Ongoing Administration – We provide guidance for trustees and help ensure the trust remains compliant with Massachusetts law.
Our goal is to ensure your trust functions exactly as intended — both now and decades from now.
Secure Your Family’s Future
A Massachusetts trust provides privacy, flexibility, and long-term protection for your family and assets.
Massachusetts Law and Trust Administration
Massachusetts follows the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code (M.G.L. Chapter 203E), which provides clear guidelines on trustee duties, spendthrift protections, and beneficiary rights.
Key points include:
- Trustees must act in good faith and in the beneficiaries’ best interests.
- Spendthrift provisions are enforceable if properly drafted.
- Irrevocable trusts may qualify for tax and asset protection benefits when properly structured and funded.
- Trustees are accountable for detailed recordkeeping and transparent communication with beneficiaries.
We advise clients on both the creation and administration of trusts, including successor trustee transitions and updates when family or financial situations change.
How Trusts and Wills Work Together
A trust and will are not mutually exclusive — they complement each other.
- The trust holds and manages your assets privately.
- The will serves as a “safety net,” transferring any remaining assets into the trust through a pour-over clause.
Together, they form a complete plan that ensures every asset is properly managed, every instruction is clear, and your family avoids the delays of probate court.
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Why Choose The Law Offices of Chanise Anderson?
- Massachusetts Expertise – We know the nuances of the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code, estate tax thresholds, and probate procedures.
- Holistic Planning – Every trust we draft fits into your larger financial, family, and tax strategy.
- Clarity and Education – We explain every clause in plain English so you understand what your trust does and how it protects you.
- Tailored for You – No templates or one-size-fits-all language — every trust is custom-built to meet your goals.
- Ongoing Guidance – We assist with trust funding, trustee education, and periodic reviews to ensure your plan stays current.
Speak with a Massachusetts Trust Attorney
If you’re ready to protect your assets, avoid probate, and build a plan that lasts for generations, a trust may be the best next step.
Contact The Law Offices of Chanise Anderson to schedule your consultation. We’ll help you choose the right type of trust, fund it properly, and integrate it into your comprehensive estate plan.
Serving clients across Massachusetts, including Boston, North Attleboro, Worcester, Springfield, and the South Shore.