LLTrusts.org
Limited Liability
See you at Heckerling 2026, where we plan to better explore the arguments for and against incorporating the “Limited Liability Trusts” term into the legal lexicon.
First came the LLC. Then the LLP. Should they now be joined by the LLT, as a synonym for US irrevocable trusts? Our sole mission is to explore the pros and the cons of this question. Whether you feel it is a good idea or a bad one, we welcome hearing from you.
The Argument for
Limited Liability Trusts
The Problem
The most common question trusts lawyers get asked is: “Did you say ‘revocable,’ or ‘irrevocable?’”
The Solutions
Trusts lawyers long ago solved the first half of this problem by creating the informal synonym “living trust.” But “irrevocable trust” has no such informal synonym.
Why It Works
US investors who already own LLC, LLP, and LP interests seem comfortable with LLT language.
Legal Treatises
The LLT is not a new trust type. It’s a shorthand umbrella term for a long list of well-proven US trust types. So, it is not very helpful to a roomful of lawyers. But it may be helpful to a roomful of non-lawyers.
Non-Profit
This effort is not for profit. There is no related patent, trademark, copyright, drafting software, or proprietary investment offering. Just an idea you’re free to use - or not.
A Five Minute Sample Video
From Our Library of Interviews With US Trusts Experts
The Counterargument against
Limited Liability Trusts
The LLT term is far from perfect. In fact, the “irrevocable trusts” term itself is far from perfect. The entire concept is an oversimplification that first appeared in Black’s Law Dictionary in 1910, and never went away. Arguably, it is so misleading and imprecise that we would all be better off without it. According to this line of thinking, a memorable synonym for the “irrevocable trusts” term does not help anyone with anything.
The confusions that spring from the “irrevocable trusts” concept include, but are not limited to:
1
‘Irrevocable’ trusts, in practice, are not unamendable or irrevocable at all, as they can often be changed.
2
Not all "irrevocable trusts” offer all of the several possible “limited liability” protections. Who is protected? And, from what?
3
Different “irrevocable trusts" are taxed very differently. Lumping them together is misleading about income, gift, and estate taxes.
4
Unlike LLCs, LLPs or LPs, a trust isn’t a business entity, so the “LLT” term may give the wrong impression.
For these reasons and others, the “LLT” term may do little beyond further entrenching a misleading concept.
Invitation
