How much privacy can a trust realistically provide?

Trusts can help,but it really depends on the type and jurisdiction. In the US, many trusts are recorded in court if they go through probate, but living trusts usually aren't public. However, if the trust owns property, the deed might show the trust name but not the individuals. Still, determined people can sometimes piece things together.

Lol, 'realistic level of privacy' – like expecting a trust to be an invisibility cloak. From what I've seen, it's more like a thin curtain. Better than nothing, but don't expect miracles.

I set up a Revocable trust for my rental properties.The deed shows the trust name, but my name is still on the mortgage and some county records. So it's not completely private. I think an anonymous LLC might be better for hiding ownership, but then you have the LLC fees and registered agent costs.

Beneficiaries are usually private unless the trust is part of a court case. But if you're the settlor and trustee, your name might appear on documents when you open bank accounts or sign contracts. It's hard to avoid all traces.

I looked into this a while back. Trusts provide privacy from casual snoops, but if someone really wants to find you, they can. Especially if you're involved in litigation or the trust holds real estate in your state. Some states like Delaware or Nevada have better privacy protections, but you still need a lawyer to set it up properly.

What about using a trust in combination with an LLC? I've heard that can add layers, but it might be overkill for small stuff.

Yes, a trust owning an LLC can work, but it's not bulletproof. The LLC formation documents might list the trust as member, and if the trust is revocable, your name could still be discoverable through the registered agent or annual reports. You'd need to use a nominee service or a lawyer's office as the address to obscure things further.

And then you have to trust the lawyer not to spill the beans. LOL.

In my experience, the privacy is decent but not absolute. If you're just trying to keep your address off Google, a trust might suffice. But if yyou're hiding from a determined creditor, it's riskier. Also, some states require trust registration or filing of beneficial ownership info under new laws.