A sprinkling trust is a type of controlled trust that controls the rights of the beneficiaries of the trust. This usually means that certain limits, restrictions and expectations come with being a beneficiary. Sprinkling trusts gives the trustee the right to determine the distribution of assets between beneficiaries.

Use sprinkling trusts whenever a beneficiary needs added restrictions or requirements. Sprinkling trusts provide peace of mind for those with special needs beneficiary or a beneficiary who lacks the ability or experience to make good financial decisions. Create sprinkling trust documents to:

1. Control how the beneficiary uses all or some trust assets, including principal and interest.

2. Provide for the needs of loved ones with a disability who needs a special needs trust.

3. Maintain a level of control of how beneficiaries share the assets of a sprinkling trust.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find sprinkling trust information from sprinkling trust specialists

A sprinkling trust is a complex estate planning tool. To get the most benefit from this type of trust requires the right trust language. Getting the right Sprinkling Trust advice means better sprinkling trust management and appropriate control over trust assets for the benefit of your loved ones.

I recommend: Use Find An Attorney by clicking on your state and "Trusts and Estates" in the type of law field to find trust experts near you. Try Attorneylocate.com by clicking on "Trusts and Estates" for areas of practice and the state in which you live.

Create sprinkling trust documents with online tools and resources

Because a sprinkling trust can be both an irrevocable living trust or revocable, depending on what type of trust you have, they are relatively easy to produce with the right online tools and forms. Do it yourself trusts are a great resource when time is an issue and a trip to the attorneys office isn't possible.

I recommend: Both Laweasy.com and Findforms.com offer a variety of free and fee based trust documents and estate planning packages. You can create your sprinkling trust when you create your living trust with these forms.

Work with a sprinkling trust expert to determine if a sprinkling trust is right for you

During life's most difficult moments, getting the right answers before you need them is priceless. Sprinkling trust management can be confusing without the right expert services on your side. Choosing a qualified trust and estate attorney takes the worry out of making the right choices for your particular situation.

I recommend: Reed Smith and McGuireWoods are global law firms with large estate planning and trust divisions to meet all your trust planning needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Any type of trust requires a higher level of capacity than that of 'sound mind' applicable to wills. The required capacity is similar to contractual capacity such as that needed to sign a deed.
• •  Notarize any type of trust, including a sprinkling trust, in case it needs recording with the Register of Deeds.