How to Break a Revocable Trust

Written By
Jack Ori
Jack Ori
Apr 19, 2017
1 minute read

Revocable living trusts are popular estate planning tools. This type of trust allows you to retain control over your assets while you are alive; in addition, you can easily alter the trust if you change your mind. Once you die, the trust becomes irrevocable and no further changes can be made without going through the court system; however, the beneficiaries of the trust can receive their inheritances without going through the probate process.

Check your living trust deed. Make sure that it contains a provision stating that the trust may be amended while the grantor is alive. If it doesn't contain this provision, contact your attorney to find out how to amend the trust.

Write a letter to the trustee. Include the exact amendment to the trust and your instructions to the trustee for carrying out the amendment. Send the letter by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.

Check your will. If any part of your will now contradicts the amended living trust, change your will to conform to your new instructions.

Warnings

If your trust document doesn't say it can be amended, your heirs may sue after your death to claim the amended trust deed is invalid.

Jack Ori

Jack Ori has been a writer since 2009. He has worked with clients in the legal, financial and nonprofit industries, as well as contributed self-help articles to various publications.

Sponsored
PocketSense Logo

PocketSense is the ultimate guide to managing your money, with expert information on how to decode your taxes, keep track of spending and stay financially responsible.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.