Having a land trust is a good idea for property owners and real estate investors. Land trusts are especially a good idea in case you own more than one property and don't want everyone to know you own so many properties.
You can choose whoever you want for your land trust. However, it should be someone you know and trust since your property title will be going to them to keep it safe and private for you. While your property is in a land trust's name, no one can see that you own it. For example, the title company cannot announce in the local newspaper that you own property (like they do with everyone else).
First, you have to choose someone or a certain business to be your land trust. You don't have to choose an individual if you can't find one to do it for you. You also have the option to choose a business if the business owner agrees to do it.
Whichever one you choose, you need two legal documents for the land trust. The first legal document is a trust agreement between the owner of the property and the person or business who will be the land trust. The second legal document is the deed of the property from the owner to the trust.
Although the land trust will be holding on to the deed of the property, they will not be the owner of the property and will not receive any benefits from holding the deed and having their name on it. The owner still has all rights. The land trust is just for privacy. The trust agreement is also private and only you and the land trust know about the agreement.
Although a land trust is for privacy and asset protection, a land trust does not receive the benefits that an LLC or a business does. However, if someone falls on your property and gets hurt, the beneficiary will be held responsible. This is the main reason to use an LLC or a regular business to stand in as the beneficiary of the property. The reason for this is that LLCs and other businesses are protected from something like this happening.
That was just the first reason for obtaining an LLC or other businesses as a land trust. The second reason to do so is because they receive tax benefits. This means that the transfer of the property can be done tax-free.
A third reason to use an LLC is that many attorneys and accountants don't even know what a land trust is in many states. Because of this, you won't have to worry about litigators looking at your property and thinking you have deep pockets. This way, they won't be trying to file a lawsuit against you.
Scott Royal Smith is an asset protection attorney and long-time real estate investor. He's on a mission to help fellow investors free their time, protect their assets, and create lasting wealth.
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