BIF Bites: CFP and Financial Planning Resource Center

Estate Trust Vegetable Soup | BIF Bites

Written by Carrie Mick | Nov 13, 2025 4:28:46 PM

If you're hung up on estate trusts, this episode of BIF Bites podcast is for you. Jerry Mee, CFP® is sharing the easiest way to keep them straight and what you need to remember in less than 10 minutes. 

Understanding Estate Trust Acronyms

If you're more of a visual learner or need a handy resource, we're outlining the difference below in this handy chart.

Estate Trust Who Is the Trust For: Charity or Grantor? What Does the Beneficiary Receive: Remainder (lump sum) or Lead (stream of payments)? Fixed or Flexible: Annuity or Unitrust
CRAT Charity Remainder  Annuity
CRUT Charity Remainder  Unitrust
CLAT Charity Lead  Annuity
CLUT Charity Lead Unitrust
GRAT Grantor Remainder Annuity
GRUT Grantor Remainder Unitrust
GLAT Grantor Lead Annuity
GRUT Grantor Lead Unitrust

So, if you set up a CRAT, a charity will receive a lump sum in a fixed trust. Pretty easy, right? Well, mostly. 

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