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Estate planning and trust services

Considering the legacy you want to leave for future generations is a vital part of your financial plan. Our personal trust and estate settlement professionals can help you and your loved ones protect and manage your legacy.
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Creating a lasting legacy starts with the foundation

Your legacy is more than the assets you've accumulated; it's about formalizing your wishes and providing a roadmap within your financial plan. From basic steps like having a will in place to supporting estate settlement upon your passing, we work as part of your financial team to manage and pass on your wealth to future generations.

Our team of trust officers and financial professionals has years of experience to help you and your beneficiaries navigate the nuances of your estate, no matter how simple or complex your situation.

Who it’s for

In short, everyone has an estate and can benefit from estate planning services. As a foundational part of your financial plan, you should document your intentions regarding the property you control, the people in your care and any personal health decisions.

Why it matters

Estate planning documents make your wishes clear if you can’t make decisions for yourself. Start with basics like a will, a durable power of attorney, a health care power of attorney and a health care directive. They can help you potentially avoid probate for your heirs and give clear direction on care for your dependents and how to pass on your assets.

What we do

We can act as the trustee of your trust and the executor of your will. As your trustee, we can:
  • Manage your trust assets
  • Handle bill payments
  • Make automatic disbursements and manage discretionary distribution requests
  • Coordinate tax form preparation

Helping clients just like you

Personal trust and estate settlement services aren’t just for the very wealthy or those with complicated situations. Everyday, we help people just like you navigate challenges, so you can focus on what’s most important and avoid unnecessary stress.

Providing estate settlement services

Lorraine was single her whole life and had no family. After discussing her estate plan with her Thrivent financial advisor and working with her attorney,  Lorraine named Thrivent Trust Company as her executor. Lorraine's estate included investment assets, her home and her automobile.*

Services provided upon Lorraine’s death
  • Identified, located, collected, valued and safeguarded assets
  • Sold home
  • Sold automobile
  • Communicated and filed documents with the IRS
  • Distributed the estate’s assets in accordance with the terms of Lorraine’s will

Managing trust assets for families

William and Sally accumulated significant wealth and established a revocable living trust. After William's passing, the trust distributed his assets to a family trust. Sally and her sons found the management tasks overwhelming, leading to family tension. Thrivent Trust Company took over, handling all distributions, tax requirements, and investment management.*

Services provided
  • Administered the trust
  • Coordinated preparation of tax forms and reports
  • Managed investment portfolios
  • Set up automatic disbursements

Helping with a special needs beneficiary

Maddie and Daniel's daughter Amelia has a special needs trust with Thrivent Trust Company as trustee. Thrivent Trust Company administers the trust, managing distributions and taking into consideration the government benefits Amelia receives.*

Services provided
  • Managed assets for current and future needs
  • Coordinated preparation of tax forms and reports
  • Managed distributions in accordance with the trust

Providing estate settlement services

Lorraine was single her whole life and had no family. After discussing her estate plan with her Thrivent financial advisor and working with her attorney,  Lorraine named Thrivent Trust Company as her executor. Lorraine's estate included investment assets, her home and her automobile.*

Services provided upon Lorraine’s death
  • Identified, located, collected, valued and safeguarded assets
  • Sold home
  • Sold automobile
  • Communicated and filed documents with the IRS
  • Distributed the estate’s assets in accordance with the terms of Lorraine’s will

Our services

We offer a variety of services to support your needs.

Personal trust

Whether your goal is financial stability through disability or preserving family harmony after you’re gone, we’re here to help. Get professional guidance on how to create a trust. We’ll work with your financial advisor, attorney and tax advisor. Together, we’ll create a trust that can be administered with the best interests of future generations and your community in mind.

Estate settlement

Losing a loved one is an emotional journey. Imagine your heirs having to settle your estate. The process can be complicated, unsettling and take as long as 18 months—and sometimes even longer—to complete. We can help your loved ones navigate this trying time. Count on us to help your loved ones finalize details, so they can focus on what matters.

Private client services

As your net worth grows, your portfolio and the risks associated with it become more complex. Our team will work closely with you, your financial advisor and tax accountant to address your needs. We’ll help you understand your risks and grow and protect your wealth. Together, we’ll evaluate what matters most to you and provide a customized approach that addresses your investment and service needs.

Bill paying services

Whether you're a busy retiree or a caregiver with a family of your own, time is precious. Use the SIMPLIFY program for personal financial management. It combines the convenience of bill paying, cash management, income collection and detailed record keeping. We help relieve you from these duties so you can enjoy your life and the people in it.

Institutional investments

If you're responsible for managing an endowment, foundation or investment portfolio, we can help. We provide investment management and administrative services, so you don't feel a drain on your resources. That frees up your time to focus on big-picture financial goals—for your organization today and tomorrow.

Trust and investment management accounts and services offered by Thrivent Trust Company are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, are not deposits or other obligations of, nor guaranteed by Thrivent Trust Company or its affiliates, and are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

Financial advisor at a table holding a pen

Discuss including legacy in your financial plan

As you consider the legacy you want to leave behind, start by building a strong foundation with estate planning documents. Your financial advisor can assist you in setting up a comprehensive financial plan and guide you on how Thrivent Trust Company can support your goals.
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See our process

Prepare for your meeting

Use these questions as you start the conversation about creating a legacy that’s right for you.

Questions to ask yourself

  • Would I find value in considering my legacy now, so that after I die, my wishes will be carried out and the estate settlement process easier for my family?
  • Do I want to place the responsibility of settling my estate with my family, or would I find comfort in knowing that a professional will be assisting them?
  • Do I have family dynamics that could make settling my estate challenging?

Questions to ask your financial advisor

  • Estate planning seems complex. What are steps I can take now to make it easier for my family and loved ones after I’m gone?
  • What happens if I die without an estate plan? How might that affect my family?
  • What guidance can you provide on what to expect when meeting with an estate planning attorney?
  • Can you continue to provide guidance to my beneficiaries?

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? Give us a call 800-847-4836 or contact us.

We can provide this service in all 50 states. By naming Thrivent Trust Company in your estate planning documents, you place the responsibility of managing your estate with professionals who are experienced in these important duties. When you die, we will work with your attorney to facilitate the smooth and accurate disposition of your property and the execution of your final wishes, according to the terms of your will.

To name Thrivent Trust Company as executor of your estate, have your attorney name Thrivent Trust Company as executor or personal representative in your will and forward a copy of the will to us. Fees will only be incurred if we serve as your executor.

Thrivent Trust Company has significant experience in the investment, tax, legal and administrative duties of a trustee or executor. Our professionals are impartial concerning conflicting or competing family desires, which may help preserve family harmony. In addition, we work under stringent government regulations designed to protect your interests.

Contact us for a copy of our preferred trust and will language memorandum. Thrivent Trust Company can review your estate plan relative to that memorandum at no charge.

We ask that you forward copies of any documents that name Thrivent Trust Company as a trustee or executor to us. There is no charge or service fee for safekeeping of an estate planning document in which we are nominated to serve. Fees are only incurred if we serve in a fiduciary capacity.

Yes. Thrivent Trust Company is federally chartered and serves the needs of the general public. This means we can help you, regardless of where you live and whether or not you are a client of Thrivent.

In its basic sense, estate planning is the process of making a plan in advance and naming the people you want to receive the things you own after you die. It should:
  • Include instructions for passing your values (e.g., religion, education) in addition to your valuables.
  • Include instructions for your care if you become disabled before you die.
  • Name a financial guardian or conservator for minor children.
  • Provide for family members with special needs without disrupting government benefits.
  • Provide for loved ones who might be irresponsible with money or may need future protection from creditors or divorce.
  • Include life insurance to provide for your family at your death, disability income insurance to replace your income if you cannot work due to illness or injury, and long-term care insurance to help pay for your care in case of an extended illness or injury.
  • Provide for the transfer of your business at your retirement, disability or death.
  • Minimize taxes, court costs and unnecessary legal fees.
  • Be an ongoing process, not a one-time event.

For the most part, yes. Believe it or not, nearly everyone has an estate. Your estate is comprised of everything you own – your car, home, other real estate, checking and savings accounts, investments, life insurance, furniture and personal possessions.

Estate planning doesn't have to be expensive. If you can't afford a complex estate plan, start with what you can afford. For a young family or single adult, that may mean a will, term life insurance, and powers of attorney for your assets and health care decisions. Then, let your planning develop and expand as your needs change and your financial situation evolves. An experienced attorney will be able to provide critical guidance and confidence that your documents are properly prepared.

If you die without an estate plan, your assets will be distributed according to the probate laws in your state. In many states, if you are married and have children, your spouse and children will each receive a share. That means your spouse could receive only a fraction of your estate, which may not be enough to live on. If you have minor children, the court will control their inheritance. If both parents die (e.g., in a car accident), the court will appoint a guardian since they would be unaware of your choice.

If your name is on the title of your assets and you're unable to conduct business due to mental or physical incapacity, only a court appointee can sign for you. In other words, the court – not your family – will control how your assets are used to care for you through a conservatorship or guardianship. This can be expensive and time consuming. Plus, it is open to the public, and it can be difficult to end even if you recover.

Revocable trusts can be amended or revoked during the grantor's lifetime. Once the grantor dies, the trust typically becomes irrevocable.

Irrevocable trusts cannot be changed after they're made. They're often used to fund legacies for children or grandchildren, or make gifts of property or life insurance.

Testamentary trusts are usually included in a person's will. They take effect after the grantor has died. They are also considered revocable because your will can be changed anytime during your lifetime.

Living trusts take effect during the grantor's lifetime.

Every trust must have four primary elements.

  • The "grantor" or "settlor" – the person who makes the trust.
  • The "trustee" – the person or organization that manages the trust assets and performs functions of the trust. If the trustee dies or is no longer able to serve in that capacity, a "successor trustee" – is appointed as a replacement.
  • The "beneficiary(ies)" – the person or class of persons who will benefit from the trust.
  • The "corpus" – the assets within the trust.

Discover more about trust services

Plan a legacy that supports your financial goals

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Our privacy and security policies explain how we protect your information at every level of your relationship with Thrivent Trust Company.
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  • *This scenario is a hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only. It does not represent a specific outcome. Individual results may vary.
  • Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.
  • Trust and investment management accounts and services offered by Thrivent Trust Company, a subsidiary of Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and an affiliate of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. Neither Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a FINRA and SIPC member, nor its associated person(s) is offering any product hereby. Certain Thrivent Investment Management Inc. associated persons refer prospective clients to Thrivent Trust Company.
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