Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs)
A SLAT permits Grantors to use their existing federal estate-tax exemption to transfer assets out of their estate — while the spouse and family continue to enjoy rights to these assets should the family ever need access.
What is a Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT)?
A SLAT is an irrevocable trust in which one spouse (the grantor spouse) makes a completed gift — using their federal gift and estate tax exemption — for the benefit of the other spouse (the beneficiary spouse) and, typically, their children. Once the gift is made, the assets and all future appreciation grow outside the grantor spouse's taxable estate, free of further estate tax. The beneficiary spouse can still receive distributions from the trust, so the family retains practical access to the gifted assets even after the transfer is complete.
Is now the time for a SLAT?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act permanently raised the federal estate and gift tax exemption to $15 million per individual — $30 million for a married couple — beginning in 2026, indexed for inflation thereafter. Some of the tax-level uncertainty that once drove estate planning has gone dormant for now: there is no scheduled sunset, and no "use it or lose it" deadline forcing a decision.
Why establish a SLAT in Nevada?
- No state income tax on trust income.
- Strong asset-protection statutes that shield SLAT assets from creditors.
- Directed-trust statutes permit you to retain your existing investment advisors regardless of their domicile.
- Yes, SLATs can enjoy the same Dynasty-trust provisions up to 365 years.
- Nevada decanting statutes permit modifications should circumstances change.
When do experts consider establishing a SLAT?
A married spouse whose estate is nearing the federal estate tax exemption and wants future appreciation of these estate assets to grow for the benefit of their beneficiary spouse — without compelling the family to lose access to the gifted assets.
By naming Crawford Trust as your trustee on a SLAT, you gain a Nevada-based corporate fiduciary experienced in administering SLAT trusts, working alongside your existing attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors to carry out your estate goals precisely as your trust document provides.
Get in touchRelated services
Other ways we serve families like yours.
Directed Trustee Services
Continue the relationships with the financial advisors you have appointed. Nevada's directed-trusts statutes let families share investment, distribution, and administration roles.
Successor Trustee Services
Trust administration needs can change. Crawford Trust can assist in your successor trustee circumstances.
Trust Decanting
Circumstances change. Nevada's exceptional statutes allow changes to your existing trust regardless of its current situs.
Get in touch
Preserving legacies and peace of mind — every day.
The journey to your legacy was unique. Let Crawford Trust help develop and administer a Trust that will protect it — for centuries to come. Contact us for a complimentary consultation.