Alabama Granter Retained Annuity Trust (GREAT) is a legal arrangement where a granter transfers assets into an irrevocable trust and retains the right to receive annuity payments for a specific period. A GREAT allows individuals to effectively transfer wealth to their beneficiaries while minimizing gift and estate taxes. Key benefits of an Alabama GREAT include potential tax advantages, asset protection, and wealth transfer options. By establishing a GREAT, the granter can potentially reduce the taxable value of their estate and leverage favorable tax treatments. The granter retains an income stream through annuity payments during the trust term, ensuring continued financial support. There are different types of Grants available in Alabama, including: 1. Standard GREAT: This is the most commonly used type, where the granter receives fixed annuity payments for a predetermined period. Any appreciation above the IRS-set interest rate is transferred to the beneficiaries tax-free. 2. Zeroed Out GREAT: In this type of GREAT, the annuity payments are set in a way that the taxable gift value is essentially zero. It allows the granter to transfer the entire appreciation to the beneficiaries, further minimizing gift and estate taxes. 3. Rolling GREAT: Here, multiple Grants are established consecutively, using the annuity payments from the initial trust to fund subsequent trusts. This strategy allows for potential appreciation to be continually transferred to beneficiaries over an extended period. 4. Granter Retained Unit rust (GUT): Similar to a GREAT, this variation pays out a fixed percentage of the trust's value (instead of a fixed annuity amount) to the granter for a specified period. Any remaining trust value transfers tax-free to the beneficiaries. For individuals in Alabama seeking to preserve wealth for future generations while potentially reducing tax liabilities, exploring the different types of Granter Retained Annuity Trusts, including standard Grants, zeroed out Grants, rolling Grants, and Guts, can be a valuable wealth transfer and estate planning strategy. Consulting with an experienced attorney or financial advisor is crucial to understanding the specific provisions, tax implications, and requirements associated with each type of trust.