A private land trust is a simple, flexible way to hold title to real estate where a trustee’s name appears on public record, while you (or your chosen beneficiaries) hold the true economic and control rights in private.
It’s not a tax gimmick or a magic asset‑protection shell—it’s a title‑holding and privacy tool that can sit on top of your existing planning (revocable trust, irrevocable trust, LLC, etc.).
What is a private land trust?
A private land trust is a trust that:
- Holds legal title to real estate in the name of a trustee; and
- Separates legal title from beneficial ownership, which is treated as personal property.
You can decide: - Who may live in the property
- Who receives rental income
- Who controls major decisions (sale, refinance, improvements)
- Who ultimately receives the property when the trust ends
All of that is done privately, in the trust agreement—not in the county land records.
When does a private land trust make sense?
A private land trust is especially useful if you:
- Want your name off the public title
- Expect ownership changes over time (family, partners, entities)
- Want to separate who lives there, who gets income, and who ultimately inherits
- Prefer simple, private assignments over recorded deeds
- Want a privacy layer on top of an LLC or existing trust
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