When does a trust typically become irrevocable?

A trust typically becomes irrevocable upon the death of the grantor. This occurs because, at that point, the grantor can no longer alter the terms of the trust or reclaim the assets. An irrevocable trust is a legal arrangement that cannot be modified or terminated without the permission of the beneficiaries once it has been established, except under certain conditions set forth in the trust document or by applicable law. By ensuring that the trust's assets are managed and distributed according to the grantor's wishes even after their death, it provides certainty and stability for the beneficiaries.

In contrast to the other options, filing the trust with the IRS is a procedural step and does not affect its revocability. Executing the trust does initiate its existence, but it may still remain revocable until the grantor passes away or meets other specific conditions. Similarly, a specified term of years does not inherently determine the irrevocability of a trust unless it was established with that intention. Therefore, the correct timing for a trust to transition to irrevocability is directly linked to the grantor's death.