Estate Wise

Comparing outright gifts and trust-based family transfers

When you plan to pass money, property or other assets to the next generation, the first question is often whether to give the gift outright or to place it in a trust. Each route has different legal, tax and practical consequences. Choosing between them depends on your family circumstances, the size of the gift, and how much control you want to keep after the transfer has happened. An outright gift is exactly what it sounds like: you give an asset to a family member and have