Question

What’s the difference between a revocable trust and an irrevocable trust?

Answer

A revocable trust can be modified or dissolved by the grantor at any time. You retain full control, but the assets remain part of your taxable estate. Its primary benefits are probate avoidance and privacy. An irrevocable trust generally cannot be changed after it is established. Assets transferred into it leave your estate, reducing estate tax exposure and providing creditor protection. The trade-off is permanence — irrevocable trusts require careful planning before funding.

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

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