One revocable trust created by two individuals—with the flexibility to leave customized gifts to anyone you choose
A Multiple Grantor Trust with Specific Gifting is a single revocable living trust created by two individuals who desire to create unified estate planning for their jointly owned property. Both grantors transfer (or agree to transfer) their jointly owned property to the trust, and the trust holds that property for the support and benefit of both grantors during their lifetimes.
This trust structure allows two people to create one coordinated trust for their shared assets with the flexibility to leave customized gifts to any beneficiaries they choose—children, grandchildren, friends, charities, or any combination. Both individuals serve as co-trustees with equal authority, and when one grantor passes away, the surviving grantor continues to benefit from the trust property and assumes the role of sole trustee.
One trust for jointly owned property—simpler than maintaining two separate trusts.
Both grantors serve as co-trustees with equal decision-making power over trust assets.
When one grantor dies, the surviving grantor automatically becomes sole trustee with full control.
Trust property passes directly to beneficiaries after both grantors pass, avoiding court proceedings.
Trust details and asset distribution remain private, unlike wills which become public record.
The grantors can amend the trust during their lifetimes as circumstances change.
Customize exactly what each beneficiary receives—specific property, dollar amounts, or percentages.
Multiple Grantors: Two individuals jointly create the trust and serve as co-grantors.
Co-Trustee Management: Both grantors serve as co-trustees with equal management authority over trust assets during both of their lifetimes.
Successor Trustee Provisions: When one grantor passes, the surviving grantor becomes sole trustee. The trust also names a successor trustee to manage and distribute assets after both grantors have died.
The trust holds jointly owned property transferred by both grantors—such as real estate, bank accounts, investment accounts, business interests, or any other assets owned together.
The grantors name beneficiaries who will receive the trust property after both grantors have passed. The beneficiaries are those persons or entities that are listed by the grantors in the trust document.
Customized Distributions: This trust allows you to specify exactly what each beneficiary receives. You can:
Gift to Anyone: Beneficiaries can include children, grandchildren, siblings, friends, charities, or any combination you choose.
Clear, detailed instructions for how trust assets should be distributed to beneficiaries according to the grantors' wishes—with provisions for what happens if any beneficiary predeceases you (per stirpes or per capita distribution methods).
Multiple grantor revocable trust with specific gifting provisions
Customized distributions to anyone you choose
Complete flexibility in how you distribute your estate
Yes, the terms "multiple grantor trust" and "dual grantor trust" refer to the same structure—one trust created by two individuals for jointly owned property. Both terms describe a trust where two people serve as co-grantors and co-trustees.
Yes, as co-trustees, both grantors typically need to agree on major trust decisions during both of their lifetimes. This ensures shared control over jointly owned property.
New jointly acquired property can be titled in the name of the trust, automatically becoming trust property. This keeps your estate plan current without needing to amend the trust for each new asset.
Yes! This is a revocable trust, meaning it can be amended or even dissolved by the grantors during both of their lifetimes. As your situation changes, the trust can be updated to reflect new wishes.
No! While commonly used by married couples, a multiple grantor trust can be used by any two individuals who jointly own property—domestic partners, business partners, siblings, parent-child, or any two people with shared assets and estate planning goals.
If one grantor becomes unable to manage affairs, the other co-trustee can continue managing the trust assets. The trust can also name a successor or co-successor trustee to assist if needed.
You list each beneficiary and specify exactly what they should receive—a particular piece of property (like "the cabin in Big Bear"), a specific dollar amount (like "$25,000"), or a percentage of the trust (like "20% of remaining assets"). This gives you complete control over who gets what, rather than simply dividing everything equally.
If you've designated specific property to a beneficiary but that item is no longer owned by the trust at the time of distribution (for example, if you sold the family cabin), that particular gift simply lapses—it doesn't pass to that beneficiary. This is standard in specific gifting trusts.