Fidelity Investments has revealed a type of trust that heirs may not know exists. A silent trust, where the trust's trustee is instructed to withhold all information about the trust from the named beneficiaries, is an irrevocable trust. The trust operates normally behind the scenes, with a trustee managing and distributing assets according to the terms the grantor originally established. Only a handful of states currently allow silent trust provisions, with exceptions allowing grantors to override standard disclosure requirements within the trust documents. The advantages of silent trusts include protection from legal and financial exposure, time to develop personal responsibility without distorting future career or life decisions. Despite these risks, Fidelity highlights three key advantages that appeal for long-term wealth planning.