Why Trust Planning for Minor Children Is Essential for Your Family’s Future

Jennifer Georgianne
Jul 6
3 min read

If you have young children, your estate plan isn’t just about who gets what—it’s about who will protect, manage, and responsibly distribute your assets if something happens to you. One of the most effective ways to do that is through trust planning for minor children.

At East County Estate Planning, PC, we help parents across Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Woodinville, Sammamish, and King County, Washington, and La Mesa, Santee, El Cajon, and San Diego County, California, build thoughtful, legally sound plans that safeguard their children's futures.

What Happens Without a Trust?

If you pass away without a trust and leave assets to your minor children, the court will appoint a guardian of the estate to manage their inheritance. Once your child turns 18, the court is required to release all remaining funds—no matter how much money is involved.

Imagine your child inheriting hundreds of thousands of dollars on their 18th birthday, with no restrictions or guidance. It’s not only risky—it’s unnecessary when there’s a better option.

How a Trust Protects Minor Children

A revocable living trust allows you to:

Appoint a trusted trustee to manage and distribute assets
Delay distributions until your child is mature enough to manage money
Provide instructions for how funds should be used
Avoid probate and keep your affairs private
Ensure consistency if you become incapacitated

Trusts are flexible, customizable, and critical for young families.

The HEMS Standard: Health, Education, Maintenance, and Support

When creating a trust for children, we often recommend giving your trustee the authority to distribute funds based on the HEMS standard—an acronym for:

Health – medical care, insurance, counseling
Education – school tuition, books, tutoring, college or trade school
Maintenance – housing, food, transportation
Support – general lifestyle support consistent with the family’s standard of living

This standard is legally recognized and enforceable, allowing your trustee to provide for your child without giving them full control of the funds. It protects the trust from misuse while ensuring the child’s needs are fully met.

Example: Distributions by Age

Many parents prefer to include partial distributions at specific ages to gradually introduce financial responsibility. A common example:

Trustee holds all funds until the child reaches 25
Distribute one-third at age 25, half of the remainder at 30, and the rest at 35
Trustee may make earlier distributions under HEMS if needed

This structure allows your child to learn how to manage money in stages—while the trustee still provides oversight during the critical early adult years.

Give Your Children the Security They Deserve

Your kids deserve more than just an inheritance—they deserve a thoughtful plan. At East County Estate Planning, PC, we help you create a customized trust that gives your children long-term security, even if you’re no longer there to guide them.

Serving Families in:

Washington: Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Woodinville, Sammamish, King County
California: La Mesa, Santee, El Cajon, San Diego County

📞 Schedule your consultation today to build a plan that protects your family’s future—no matter what.

Office Locations

📞 Call us today at (619) 566-8084 or visit www.ecestateplanning.com to schedule your free consultation.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this blog or contacting our firm through this website does not create an attorney–client relationship. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any content included in this blog without seeking appropriate legal or other professional advice specific to your situation.