What is the primary purpose of Totten trusts?

The primary purpose of Totten trusts is to avoid probate. A Totten trust is a type of revocable trust that is established by depositing funds in a bank account for a beneficiary. The grantor retains control over the account during their lifetime, and upon their death, the funds are automatically transferred to the named beneficiary without the need for probate proceedings. This allows for a more efficient transfer of assets, reduces the time and cost typically associated with probate, and ensures that the assets are distributed according to the grantor's wishes without the delay that various probate processes might introduce.

This feature is particularly beneficial for individuals looking to streamline the transfer of small to moderate sums of money outside of the more complex probate process, thereby providing an easy and direct way for beneficiaries to access the funds. Other choices, while relevant in other contexts, do not align with the primary function of a Totten trust in facilitating the avoidance of probate.