Land Trusts: What They Do (and When You Should Use One)

When to Consider Using a Land Trust

A land trust is one of those tools that sounds complicated—until you realize it’s just a smarter way to hold title when you want privacy, flexibility, and a little legal insulation.

At its core, a land trust is a legal agreement where a trustee holds title to property on behalf of a beneficiary (that’s you). It’s not bulletproof asset protection, and it’s not a get-out-of-taxes-free card. But in the right situation? It’s a sleek solution.

Here’s when it’s worth considering:

• You want to buy property anonymously (goodbye nosy neighbors, tire-kickers, and litigious tenants).

• You’re wholesaling and want to assign beneficial interest rather than title.

• You’re structuring creative financing—subject-to or seller financing deals often flow more smoothly through a trust.

• You want to simplify probate or avoid title transfer triggers.

But don’t get cute—land trusts are misunderstood and misused all the time. They don’t shield you from liability like an LLC. They don’t eliminate taxes. They aren’t magic. But they are strategic.

The key is knowing when to use one. And for that—you’re already ahead of the game just by reading this.