Spendthrift Trust
A spendthrift trust is a trust designed so that the beneficiary is unable to sell or give away her equitable interest in the trust property. The trustee is in control of the managing the property. Thus, the beneficiary of the trust is not in control of the property and her creditors cannot reach those assets.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
A trust created for a beneficiary who may be irresponsible with money. The trustee keeps control of the trust income, doling out money to the beneficiary as needed, and sometimes paying third parties (creditors, for example) on the beneficiary's behalf, bypassing the beneficiary completely. Spendthrift trusts typically contain a provision prohibiting creditors from seizing the trust fund to satisfy the beneficiary's debts. These trusts are legal in most states. (See also: property control trust)
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:24 pm
