Colorado Living Trust Forms

A revocable trust, or living trust, is a legal entity to transfer assets to heirs without the expense and time of probate.A living trust also can be revoked or dissolved if there is a divorce or other major change that can't be accommodated by amending the trust.

When a trust dissolves, all income and assets moving to its beneficiaries, it becomes an empty vessel. That's why no income tax return is required it no longer has any income. That income is charged to the beneficiaries instead, and they must report it on their own personal tax returns.

Dissolving irrevocable trusts if you're a beneficiary or trustee. State trust law may also permit a trust beneficiary or trustee to petition the court if they want to dissolve (or amend) the trust. The court may grant approval based on reasons cited above.

The terms of an irrevocable trust may give the trustee and beneficiaries the authority to break the trust. If the trust's agreement does not include provisions for revoking it, a court may order an end to the trust. Or the trustee and beneficiaries may choose to remove all assets, effectively ending the trust.

This can take as long as 18 months or so if real estate or other assets must be sold, but it can go on much longer. How long it takes to settle a revocable living trust can depend on numerous factors.

In some states, your trustee must submit a formal accounting of the trust's operation to all beneficiaries.Trustees can sometimes waive this requirement if all beneficiaries agree in writing. In either case, after the report is made, the trust's assets can be distributed and the trust can be dissolved.

Whether your trust closes immediately after your death or lives on for a while to serve your intentions, it must eventually close. This typically involves payment of any outstanding debts or taxes before the trustee distributes the trust's assets and income to your named beneficiaries.

EXAMPLE: Yvonne and Andre make a living trust together. Step 1: Transfer ownership of trust property from yourself as trustee back to yourself. Step 2: A revocation prints out with your trust document. Step 3: Complete the Revocation of Trust by filling in the date, and then sign it in front of a notary public.