A Colorado Revocable Living Trust for Married Couple is a legal document created by a married couple to facilitate the management and distribution of their assets during their lifetimes and after their deaths. It functions as a useful estate planning tool that can provide numerous benefits for couples in Colorado. This type of trust is revocable, meaning it can be amended or revoked by the couple as long as they are both alive and mentally competent to do so. It offers flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and allows the couple to retain control over their assets during their lifetime. Furthermore, this type of trust avoids the need for probate, which can be time-consuming and expensive. In Colorado, there are a few different types of Revocable Living Trusts that married couples can establish, depending on their specific goals and requirements: 1. Joint Revocable Living Trust: This is the most common type of Revocable Living Trust for married couples. Both spouses create a single trust agreement together, combining their assets and designating themselves as trustees. They have equal control over the trust assets and can manage them jointly. 2. Separate Revocable Living Trusts: In some cases, couples may opt to create separate revocable trusts for each spouse. This allows each spouse to maintain individual control over their assets while still obtaining the benefits of a Revocable Living Trust. This can be particularly useful when there are significant differences in the size or nature of the assets owned by each spouse. 3. Credit Shelter Trust (also known as "Bypass Trust" or "Family Trust"): Couples with a significant estate may choose to establish a Credit Shelter Trust within their Revocable Living Trust. This trust is designed to provide estate tax planning benefits by maximizing the tax exemptions available to each spouse upon their death. It allows them to pass assets to their beneficiaries while minimizing estate taxes. 4. Marital Deduction Trust: Designed to take advantage of the unlimited marital deduction for federal estate tax purposes, this trust allows one spouse to leave their assets to the other spouse free of any estate tax. It ensures that assets are not subject to estate taxes until the surviving spouse dies. It is important to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney in Colorado to determine the most appropriate type of Revocable Living Trust for a married couple based on their unique circumstances, goals, and objectives.