Trust fund kid: the term conjures up images of entitlement, snobbery, and pastel golf shirts. Daddy’s spoiled little brats account for only a little more than 1% of the U.S. population (there’s that maligned 1% again). When compared to the approximately 22% of Americans who inherited money, those who did so via a trust fund are an especially small minority.

Tolstoy said, “all happy families are alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Since families and estates are so intertwined, Tolstoy’s maxim holds true in some degree for estate planning purposes. When planning for the distribution of their assets, no one wants to feel as if they’re involved in some type of legal mass production—being processed through an uncaring machine. Would you?

Trusts are technical legal instruments that require a keen eye and foresight on the part of the attorney drafting them. Should an estate planner fail to make certain considerations, not only can they undermine their practice’s integrity but also jeopardize a beneficiary's financial security. To avoid falling victim to their snare, below are a few common mistakes to avoid when drafting trusts for minors.