A New Hampshire Granter Retained Income Trust with Division into Trusts for Issue after Term of Years, often abbreviated as NH GRIT, is a specific type of trust arrangement that allows the granter to retain an income interest for a specified number of years before the trust assets are distributed to the designated beneficiaries. This trust structure provides various estate planning benefits and can be particularly advantageous for individuals looking to minimize estate taxes and transfer wealth to future generations. Under the NH GRIT structure, the granter transfers assets into an irrevocable trust and retains the right to receive income from the trust for a predetermined period. At the end of this term, the trust assets are divided into separate trusts for the benefit of the granter's chosen beneficiaries, typically the granter's children or descendants. These individual trusts, often referred to as "issue trusts" or "dynasty trusts," continue for the lifetimes of the beneficiaries, providing them with income and potential asset protection. One significant advantage of utilizing a NH GRIT is the ability to freeze the value of the assets for estate tax purposes. By transferring assets into the trust, any future appreciation or growth is excluded from the granter's taxable estate. As a result, this can lead to significant estate tax savings, especially if the assets have substantial growth potential. Another benefit of a NH GRIT is the ability to leverage tax-exempt gift exemption amounts. During the trust's term, the granter can annually gift a portion of the trust's income to the issue trusts, reducing the size of their taxable estate. This gifting strategy allows for the gradual transfer of wealth to the beneficiaries without incurring gift tax. Furthermore, these issue trusts created at the end of the trust's term can be designed with robust creditor protection provisions, shielding the assets from potential legal claims and creditors of the beneficiaries. This feature can be especially valuable for preserving wealth across multiple generations. While the general concept of a NH GRIT remains the same, there may be variations or additions to the trust structure, depending on the specific goals and circumstances of the granter. Some examples of these variations include: 1. GRIT with a Power of Appointment: This variation grants the granter the ability to modify the ultimate distribution of trust assets among the issue trusts, providing flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances or family dynamics. 2. GRIT with a Charitable Remainder Trust: In this scenario, a portion of the trust's income can be directed to a charitable remainder trust before being distributed to the beneficiaries, allowing the granter to support charitable causes while still providing for their heirs. 3. GRIT with a Qualified Personnel Residence Trust: By inserting a qualified personnel residence trust (PRT) within the NH GRIT structure, the granter can transfer a primary residence or vacation home into the trust, potentially removing it from their estate for estate tax purposes while maintaining the right to continue living in the property for a predetermined period. In conclusion, a New Hampshire Granter Retained Income Trust with Division into Trusts for Issue after Term of Years offers an estate planning tool that combines income retention, estate tax reduction, gifting, asset protection, and potential generation-skipping benefits. It is crucial to consult with experienced legal and tax professionals to understand the best approach and potential variations to suit individual needs and objectives.