09/24/2026
You may have heard the terms “A Trust” and “B Trust” when discussing estate planning, but what do they actually mean?
In many estate plans for married couples, a trust may divide into two separate trusts after the first spouse passes away.
Trust A is commonly the Survivor’s Trust and generally contains assets for the surviving spouse.
Trust B may be called the Bypass, Family, or Credit Shelter Trust and can be structured to benefit the surviving spouse while preserving assets for other beneficiaries.
A/B trusts have historically been used for estate-tax planning, but they may also help families address questions about control, future beneficiaries, and how assets are ultimately distributed.
Because every trust is written differently, the actual document determines what “A” and “B” mean in your estate plan.
At Summit Wealth Management Group, we can help you review how your financial accounts fit into the larger estate-planning picture and work alongside your estate-planning attorney when appropriate.
Learn more:
https://www.westernsouthern.com/retirement/ab-trust
For general informational purposes only. Not legal or tax advice.
Learn what an AB Trust is, how it works, and how it may help married couples reduce estate taxes, protect assets, and pass wealth to beneficiaries.