Trusts provide significant flexibility and privacy for handling various estate planning needs. A trust can be used to minimize estate tax, to provide a disabled loved one with a continuous income stream, to make small distributions of assets at specific intervals, or to make distributions to support your favorite cause. A trustee is selected to manage the trust assets and make distributions according to your instructions. Unlike wills, which become part of the public record, revocable trusts are private and prevent strangers from learning confidential information. They are also a favorite estate-planning tool to avoid probate as well as possible will contests.