Here’s a clean, easy way to understand the difference between a living trust and a regular trust, Dorothy — without the legal jargon that usually makes this confusing.

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🌿 LIVING TRUST vs. REGULAR TRUST (Plain English)

A living trust is a type of trust — but it’s created while you’re alive and you stay in control of everything.

A regular trust is a broader category that includes many types of trusts, some created while you’re alive and some created only after you pass.

Let’s break it down so it actually makes sense.

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🌟 1. LIVING TRUST (Revocable Living Trust)

This is the one most families use.

✔️ Created while you’re alive

✔️ You stay in full control

✔️ You can change it anytime

✔️ Avoids probate

✔️ Keeps things private

✔️ Lets someone you choose step in if you become ill

Most people name themselves as:

• Trustee (manager)
• Beneficiary (you still use your own assets)

And then name a successor trustee (often an adult child) to take over if needed.

This is the trust that helps with caregiving situations like yours and your mom’s.

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🌟 2. REGULAR TRUST (Umbrella term)

“Regular trust” isn’t a legal term — it just means any trust that isn’t specifically a living trust.

This includes:

✔️ Irrevocable trusts

You can’t change them once created.
Used for tax planning, asset protection, or Medicaid planning.

✔️ Testamentary trusts

Created after you die, through your will.
These do not avoid probate.

✔️ Special needs trusts

Protect benefits for someone with disabilities.

✔️ Charitable trusts

Used for donations and tax planning.

✔️ Asset‑protection trusts

Used to shield assets from creditors (not common for everyday families).

So “regular trust” just means any trust that isn’t the flexible, changeable living trust most people use.

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🌟 The simplest way to remember it

Here’s the cleanest summary:

Feature	Living Trust	Other (“Regular”) Trusts
Created while alive	Yes	Sometimes yes, sometimes no
Can be changed	Yes (revocable)	Often no (irrevocable)
Avoids probate	Yes	Only some do
You stay in control	Yes	Not always
Good for seniors & caregivers	Excellent	Depends on type

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🌟 Which one is usually best for families like yours?

For most people — especially when caring for an aging parent — a revocable living trust is the most practical because:

• It avoids probate
• It keeps everything private
• It lets you manage things smoothly if your mom becomes unable
• It’s easy to update
• It keeps control in the family

Irrevocable or “regular” trusts are usually only needed for special tax or Medicaid planning.

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If you want, I can help you figure out:

• Whether a living trust makes sense for your mom
• Whether you should have one for yourself
• What assets typically go into it
• How it compares to just having a will
• How successor trustees work (important for caregiving)

Just tell me what direction you want to go next.