The biggest difference between the trusts is that the Living Trust is revocable and can be changed over time. For detailed information visit: http://www.ultratrust.com/revocable-trusts-vs-irrevocable-trusts.html

Yes. There are two types of trusts, living (intervivos) and testamentary. The living trust is created by a living person(called the settlor or trustor). The testamentary trust is created by the will of a deceased person. Living trusts are designated as either revocable or irrevocable depending on the authority of the settlor.

If the settlor has the power to cancel or revoke the trust, it is a revocable trust. If the settlor has no power to revoke it then it is an irrevocable trust. Since the revocable/irrevocable distinction is determined by what the settlor can do while he or she is alive, the trust had to have been made during the settlor's lifetime. Hence, an irrevocable trust is a living trust.

On the other hand a trust that is set forth in a person's will is revocable during the life of the testator simply by a modification of the will through a codicil. Once the testator has died that trust becomes irrevocable.

Provisions of a living trust remain valid as long as you stay alive, but the benefactors of your estate are not bound by these provisions once you have died. An irrevocable trust binds the benefactors of your estate to the trust's provisions.

The grantor has no control over the assets in an irrevocable trust. Those assets are under the control of the trustee.

Generally, an irrevocable trust is titled 'irrevocable' or is designated as such somewhere in the first few paragraphs.