Our Trust Services

You have worked a lifetime to accumulate your assets. Now you need to protect those assets and ensure they can continue to support your family. An estate planning tool that can efficiently manage your assets according to your wishes, trusts help avoid costly probate fees, reduce estate taxes, expedite asset distribution, and ensure privacy, giving you peace of mind and protecting your family's future. 

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Flexible and Supportive

As your trustee, Saturna Trust will support you with comprehensive and continuous care. Our centralized administrative, regulatory and investment team will work with you to handle your investment, tax, and trust administration needs. 

We'll help you prepare by advising you of the various trusts, wills, and durable powers of attorney that might be useful for your particular financial situation.

What We Do

One of the most important aspects of creating a trust is selecting the right trustee. A trustee is responsible for ensuring that your investments, assets, and financial affairs are handled in accordance with your wishes. A trustee also has fiduciary responsibilities to a trust's beneficiaries for both asset protection and management, and must keep extensive records of all financial activities related to the trust. Moreover, trusts can be complicated and time-consuming to manage. An institution with professional trust administrators, such as Saturna, can greatly assist with the management of your trust during your lifetime and at death.

Does a trust belongs in your financial planning strategy?

You may benefit from a trust if:

  • You wish to leave your estate to your spouse and still make bequests to other beneficiaries after your spouse's death
  • You want to provide for your current spouse, as well as any children from a previous marriage
  • You are concerned about the possibility of periods of disability and want to ensure continuous management and protection of your assets
  • You want increased control over the actual distribution of your assets after death, especially in providing for beneficiaries with special needs, such as disabled persons or beneficiaries unable to manage their inheritance

Explore our resources to learn more about trusts

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There are many types of trusts and many factors that need to be considered in deciding which one is right for you, including beneficiaries, trust asset amount, estate tax reduction, asset distribution, and the amount of control you want. You, your attorney and/or your financial adviser should work together to determine which trust is best for you.

Types of Trust

Trusts can protect you and your beneficiaries from many of the costs, difficulties, and delays associated with estate settlement. You may use a trust to determine how your assets will be used and/or distributed to your heirs and to ensure your estate is managed according to your wishes in case of incapacity or death.

The two most frequently used types of personal trusts are the Living Trust and the Testamentary Trust. A Living Trust goes into effect during your lifetime, while a Testamentary Trust is part of a Will and goes into effect at your death.

Living Trusts

A Revocable Living Trust can be amended or terminated by the grantor at any time. At your death it can provide for distributions of assets to your heirs while avoiding probate. It can minimize estate settlement-related fees and taxes and is most widely used for asset management continuation in the event of death, incompetence, or disability. It is also a favorite of those who own real estate in multiple states because it is "probate-friendly". However, because the property remains in your control, it is subject to estate taxes. There are provisions that can help minimize these estate taxes if you meet certain requirements.

An Irrevocable Living Trust provides the same ability to avoid probate as a Revocable Trust and also has the potential for additional estate tax savings. It also offers credit protection for beneficiaries. Once property is transferred to this trust, future appreciation of that property is not included as part of your estate assets. Essentially, the content of an irrevocable trust cannot be altered.

Testamentary Trusts

A Testamentary Trust goes into effect at your death. The provisions of the trust are incorporated in your Will and accompany your Will through the probate procedure. This trust is frequently used when a person does not want to change asset registration or otherwise fund a trust during his or her lifetime, but realizes the need to provide for their beneficiaries after death. A testamentary trust can help you control asset distribution at your death or continue management and distribution of assets for a period of time after your death.

Other Types of Trusts

Bypass Trust or Credit Shelter Trust

This trust can reduce or eliminate federal estate taxes by maximizing the unlimited marital deduction and Unified Estate and Gift Tax Credit to "bypass" your spouse's estate, while still allowing your spouse to receive income from the trust.

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts

An irrevocable life insurance trust can be used to buy and hold insurance policies and keep proceeds from those policies out of your taxable estate, subject to certain "look-back" periods.

Generation-Skipping Trusts

These trusts transfer property to second-generation beneficiaries (usually grandchildren), without the proceeds from the trust actually becoming a part of the first-generation's (children's) estates.

Charitable Annuity Trust or Unitrust

This trust enables you to donate to an irrevocable trust and retain the income during your lifetime. After the death of the income beneficiary the assets will be transferred to your designated charity. Gifts to charitable trusts receive an income tax deduction and avoid estate taxes.

Other Products

Guardianships

Guardianships are court supervised proceedings for minors and for incapacitated adults. Subject to court authorization and review, a guardian manages the assets of the minor or incapacitated person. Generally, they require greater lawyer and court involvement. There are annual accountings and there are bonds. There are also restrictions on how the money may be spent as well as how it can be invested.

Halal Trust Services

Saturna Trust Company specializes in meeting the estate planning and trust needs of the American Muslim community. Our parent company, Saturna Capital, is internationally recognized for its exceptional record in the specialized task of providing halal asset management for Muslims. We are dedicated and equipped to help you find estate planning solutions that align with your religious principles. 

Halal Investing
Halal Funds
Shifa HSA

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a trust?

A trust is a flexible financial planning tool that holds the assets of an individual (the settlor or grantor) for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. The grantor names a trustee, and possibly a co-trustee, to manage during their lifetime and distribute, at death, the trust's assets according to the grantor's wishes. An institution that provides professional trust management services is often chosen as either a trustee or co-trustee.

Why have a trust?

A trust can be tailored to protect your assets and give you greater financial peace of mind. Trusts can help you:

  • Provide for a trusted professional to act on your behalf in the event of death or disability
  • Ensure assets are conserved and not squandered by heirs after you or your spouse die
  • Provide for your family's financial needs after your death
  • Ensure privacy for your estate
  • Eliminate probate fees on assets held in a living trust
  • Reduce or eliminate estate taxes
  • Expedite the distribution of assets to beneficiaries
  • Ensure control and protection over payments and asset distribution to heirs with special needs either during your lifetime or when you die
Who should consider a trust as part of their financial planning strategy?

Trusts are not solely an estate-planning tool for the very wealthiest people. As a part of any financial management strategy, a trust can benefit people with even modest assets. You may benefit from a trust if:

  • You wish to leave your estate to your spouse and still make bequests to other beneficiaries after your spouse's death
  • You want to provide for your current spouse, as well as any children from a previous marriage
  • You are concerned about the possibility of periods of disability and want to ensure continuous management and protection of your assets
  • You want increased control over the actual distribution of your assets after death, especially in providing for beneficiaries with special needs, such as disabled persons or beneficiaries unable to manage their inheritance
How do I know if a trust is right for me?

Deciding if a trust is right for you depends on your personal goals for the trust. The most common reasons for setting up a trust are:

  • Avoiding probate
  • Estate tax relief
  • Greater asset control
  • Providing for your beneficiaries after your death
  • Ensuring assets are distributed according to your wishes
  • Continuity of asset management in the event you become disabled
  • Privacy
What is probate?

Probate is the legal process of "proving" a Will, which includes: 1) a court determining that a Will is valid, 2) paying any debts from the deceased's estate, and 3) distribution of assets in accordance with the terms of the Will. Probate assets are subject to probate costs, estate taxes and, in some states, inheritance taxes. Costs can include legal and executor fees, court costs, and appraiser fees.

How can a trust help with the probate process?

By establishing a trust, those trust assets are generally not subject to public scrutiny and enable the trustee to begin distributing assets according to your wishes, without going through probate. Probating a Will can be costly and lengthy — often six months or more — and is a public process available to anyone who is interested in the details of your estate. The cost of probate will vary from state to state and is based on state law.

What can a trust do that a will cannot?

In addition to reducing probate costs and expediting estate settlement, Living Trusts or Testamentary Trusts can provide additional estate tax advantages, as well as asset control. They are particularly useful if you have significant assets and want to provide for your grandchildren, minor children or beneficiaries who are unable to manage assets on their own.

What might the tax advantages be for using a trust?

Federal estate taxes have marginal tax brackets that start at 18% and go as high as 35% for larger estates. There is also the possibility of state-imposed inheritance tax. If you plan ahead using a trust, in many instances you can greatly reduce or even eliminate these taxes.

Why Choose Saturna Trust Company?

While a trust can be an invaluable part of your financial strategy, it can also be complicated and time-consuming to manage. Selecting the right trustee is one of the most important aspects of creating a trust.

At Saturna Trust Company, our professional trust administrators expertly handle the careful coordination of financial management and legal planning needed to manage your wealth today and for the future. 

To learn more about the unique advantages of Saturna’s Services offerings and more, visit our Services landing page

We are fiduciaries

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We are fiduciaries

It is our responsibility to ensure that your investments, assets, and financial affairs are handled responsibly, and in accordance with your wishes.

We are meticulous

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We are meticulous

Saturna Trust offers comprehensive trust management services tailored to meet your unique needs. For your ease and convenience, we keep extensive records of all financial activities related to the trust.

We are fairly-priced

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We are fairly-priced

Saturna Trust Company follows the high-value low-charge philosophy summarized by Saturna Capital's "Value for your Money" motto. See our Trust Services fees resource for the basic charges on fees and services available through Saturna Trust Company.

We are strategically-located

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We are strategically-located

With headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, Saturna Trust is advantageously positioned to allow clients to benefit from the asset-friendly nature of Nevada's trust laws, regardless of their state of residence.

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Saturna Trust Company offers an impressive variety of flexible, low-cost administration and trust services designed to meet needs of families, charities, trusts, estates, and retirement plans. Saturna Trust Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saturna Capital, a registered investment adviser providing investment management and mutual fund administration services, as well as brokerage and custody services through Saturna Brokerage Services.

With headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, Saturna Trust is advantageously positioned to allow our clients to benefit from the asset-friendly nature of Nevada's trust laws. However, you do not have to be a resident of the state of Nevada to benefit from an account with Saturna Trust Company. Our priority is building long-lasting relationships with our clients, and assisting them in providing for their heirs in accordance with their wishes. To that end, our combination of legal, financial, and customer service expertise makes Saturna Trust an invaluable partner in planning for your future.

Saturna Capital is owned by investment professionals, predominantly employees and their families, whose broad experience distinguishes Saturna in the trust business. Ms. Jane K. Carten is Saturna Capital’s controlling shareowner, president, and chief executive officer. Saturna's staff of more than 100 is committed to creating a unique firm, where client interests always come first.
 

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Contact us today to begin planning for your future.

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Further Reading

Trust and Estates Forms and Brochures

Trust Services Brochure

 

The Amana Funds limit the securities they purchase to those consistent with Islamic principles. This limits opportunities and may affect performance.