Atlanta, Georgia Children’s Trust Attorneys

Our Atlanta estate planning attorneys help parents across Georgia create children’s trusts that protect what they leave their children when they pass away and set them up for success.

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably thought about what would happen to your children if something ever happened to you. It’s not a fun topic, but it’s an important one. A child’s trust is one of the best ways to make sure what you leave behind truly supports your children in the ways you intend.

Why Georgia Families Create Children’s Trusts

Families across Georgia often create trusts to make things easier for loved ones and to protect what matters most. A revocable living trust helps families avoid the court-supervised probate process in Georgia. This saves time, reduces costs, and prevents added stress during an already emotional time following the loss of a loved one. A child’s trust can work alongside or be part of your revocable living trust to protect what you leave your child.

Minor Children

In Georgia, if anyone under the age of 18 inherits money directly, the court appoints a conservator to manage it. The conservatorship process takes time, can get expensive, and limits flexibility. Then, when the child turns 18, they receive everything in a lump sum.

Many parents feel 18 is too young for that kind of responsibility. The money could be spent too quickly or invested poorly. A child’s trust gives them time to mature while still providing what they need for school, healthcare, and daily life.

Adult Children

Parents of adult children often set up children’s trusts to protect what they leave their child from a divorcing spouse, creditors, or poor financial decisions. A trust keeps those funds safe and available for your child’s long-term benefit.

Ways to Structure a Georgia Child’s Trust

Every family is different, and a child’s trust can and should be tailored to your goals. Your options are truly endless, but examples include the following:

Delay the Inheritance

You can set an age at which your child receives full access to their inheritance. Until then, the trust can cover education, healthcare, and general living expenses. This strategy ensures your child has what they need now while protecting the rest for later.

Staggered Inheritance

Instead of giving your child everything at 18, you can spread out the distributions over time. For example, they could receive a portion at 25, another at 30, and the rest at 35.

Spendthrift Provisions

You can include a spendthrift provision to further protect what you leave your children. A spendthrift provision prevents a beneficiary’s creditors from accessing the trust assets.

Incentive Provisions

You can add positive goals that reflect your values. For example, you might release funds when your child graduates from college or reaches another milestone. If your child struggles with addiction or financial issues, distributions can pause when there’s a problem and only resume when the situation improves.

Speak With an Experienced Georgia Children’s Trust Attorney Today

A child’s trust can protect what you leave your child in ways that truly set them up for success. Whether you want to put someone else in charge of managing the inheritance until your child is ready, spread the inheritance over time, or include specific protections, our team can create a plan tailored to your goals.

Call us at (678) 882-0830 to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our Atlanta children’s trust attorneys.