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Basic Trust Agreement
Free basic trust agreement outline template — how a trust holds and distributes assets for a beneficiary. Strongly consider an estate attorney.
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This free basic trust agreement covers 1. Establishment, 2. Trustee's Powers, 3. Distributions, 4. Trust Type, 5. Successor Trustee with 8 clearly marked [placeholder] fields to fill in — built for individuals and small businesses handling a straightforward legal document themselves needing a clear, professional document without commissioning custom legal drafting for a routine situation. Copy it into your own word processor, fill in the placeholders, and review it — or adapt it — before use. It's part of docstoc's free document template library, alongside business, legal, real estate, finance, and HR templates. Every template here is free to copy with no signup required, and each one carries a plain disclaimer: this is a starting point for informational purposes, not a substitute for advice from a licensed professional in your jurisdiction.
Trust Agreement
Grantor/Settlor: [Name] (creates the trust and contributes assets) Trustee: [Name] (manages the trust) Beneficiary(ies): [Name(s)] Date: [Date]
1. Establishment
Grantor establishes this trust, naming it the [Trust Name], and transfers the following assets to it: [Describe assets].
2. Trustee's Powers
Trustee has the power to manage, invest, and distribute trust assets in the beneficiaries' interest, including [specific powers — e.g. selling property, making investments].
3. Distributions
[Describe when/how the Trustee distributes income or principal to beneficiaries — e.g. "at the Trustee's discretion for health, education, maintenance, and support" or on a fixed schedule.]
4. Trust Type
[Choose one: "This trust is revocable — Grantor may amend or revoke it during their lifetime." OR "This trust is irrevocable and cannot be amended or revoked once established."]
5. Successor Trustee
If [Trustee Name] is unable or unwilling to serve, [Successor Trustee Name] will serve as successor Trustee.
6. Termination
This trust terminates when [event — e.g. "all assets have been distributed" or "the beneficiary reaches age ___"], at which point remaining assets are distributed to [Name(s)].
Grantor: ______________________ Date: ____________ Trustee (acceptance): ______________________ Date: ____________
*This document is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is NOT a substitute for legal advice. Trusts have major, largely irreversible tax and legal consequences (especially irrevocable trusts) and strict state-specific execution requirements — use a licensed estate planning attorney rather than a generic template for an actual trust.*
Edit directly in the box above. Download PDF anytime — the docstoc.io footer is always included and cannot be removed.
What's included
- Edit online — click the document, fill in placeholders, download a PDF
- 6 standard sections: 1. Establishment, 2. Trustee's Powers, 3. Distributions, 4. Trust Type, 5. Successor Trustee, 6. Termination
- 8 clearly marked [placeholder] fields for quick personalizing
- Free to use — no account or signup required
- Fully editable — adjust any clause to match your actual situation
- Includes a signature block, ready to print or sign digitally
- Fixed docstoc.io footer on every PDF (not removable)
Who this template is for
Freelancers & solo founders
Handling routine business paperwork without commissioning custom legal drafting for every document.
Small businesses
Standardizing recurring documents — leases, agreements, notices — across a growing operation.
Anyone reviewing before signing
Using a clear starting structure to understand what a document should cover, even if a lawyer finalizes it.
Before involving a lawyer
A solid starting draft to review with counsel, or to use directly for a low-stakes situation.
FAQ
Is this basic trust agreement template really free?
Yes, completely free — view, edit, and download this basic trust agreement as a PDF without creating an account.
What does this basic trust agreement cover?
This legal template includes 1. Establishment, 2. Trustee's Powers, 3. Distributions, 4. Trust Type. Fill in the [bracketed] placeholders, edit any clause online, then download a PDF — the docstoc.io footer stays on every export.
Is this legal advice?
No. This template reflects common practice, not your jurisdiction's specific requirements. Legal formalities (required language, witness or notarization rules, filing steps) differ by state and sometimes by county — confirm them with a licensed attorney before this document does any real work.
Can I edit the wording?
Yes. All 8 placeholder fields and every clause are editable right on the page — change what doesn't fit, then download an updated PDF anytime.
Where can I find more free templates like this?
Browse more free legal and related document templates in the docstoc library at /document-templates/.
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