Article: Living trusts avoid probate's hassles for those wealthy enough to benefit

The growing popularity of revocable living trusts is not surprising, considering the advantages they offer to anyone with a sizable estate, says financial planner Michelle Cody.

First, a living trust avoids the expense and delays of probate at death, allowing your trustee to make a swift and confidential distribution of assets to your beneficiaries, says Cody, a Racine-based certified financial planner.

"It offers privacy," she says. "Nosy people can't go down to the courthouse and look at all the family laundry."

Second, a living trust allows your financial affairs to be managed by your trustee during your lifetime in the event you become physically or mentally incapacitated.

Cody ...

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