Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT)
Using your gift-tax exemption while keeping indirect access through your spouse.
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Overview & Purpose
An irrevocable trust created by one spouse for the benefit of the other, funded with gift-tax-exempt assets. The grantor removes assets from their estate while the beneficiary spouse may access distributions.
Who May Consider It
- You want to use your lifetime gift exemption before potential law changes.
- You are comfortable with access flowing through your spouse rather than directly.
- Removes gifted assets and their future appreciation from the grantor's gross estate.
- Allows the beneficiary spouse indirect access to trust distributions.
- Does NOT give the grantor direct access to trust assets.
- If the beneficiary spouse dies or divorce occurs, access may be lost.
Important Trade-offs
- Reciprocal SLATs (one for each spouse) risk being unwound by the reciprocal trust doctrine.
Relevant Assets
Federal gift tax rules and the reciprocal trust doctrine apply.
Questions to Discuss with an Attorney
- Are reciprocal SLATs safe for us, and how do we avoid the reciprocal trust doctrine?
Related Documents
Sources & References
This article was prepared using publicly available legal and government sources. Laws change, and readers should verify current rules in their jurisdiction.
Reviewed for educational accuracy
Last reviewed: September 30, 2026 · Next scheduled review: March 2027
This article is educational information and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. No attorney has reviewed this material unless a named, licensed attorney is credited above.
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