Personal Trust Services

Trusts combine investment management services with additional financial and estate planning tools. Trusts are generally used to protect assets, provide for individual and family security and to reduce taxes. Trusts provide a predetermined plan for the management and orderly distribution of assets to your beneficiaries. Simply stated, a trust is an arrangement whereby an individual designates a trustee (such as American National Bank & Trust) to manage certain assets and fulfill specific obligations. The grantor of the trust may also be the beneficiary or can designate another, such as a spouse, parent, child or charitable organization.

A trust generally continues uninterrupted after death. Assets in a trust avoid the potentially costly review by the court known as probate. Trust generally protect your privacy in ways the probate system is not designed to do. Your beneficiaries can have immediate access to funds with confidence that the assets are managed by a trusted representative.

American National Bank & Trust can help you examine your current financial needs and future investment objectives, paying close attention to your tolerance for risk. Our experienced trust administrators will then offer suggestions to help you meet your goals, and work with you to determine the most appropriate type of trust for your situation. Your trust can be executed by a simple American National Bank & Trust document, or we can provide you with a list of accountants and attorneys who will assist you in drafting your trust agreement to meet your specific needs. We look forward to the opportunity to helping you achieve your financial and estate planning goals.