IS THE SECRECY OF A LAND TRUST LAWFUL? RANDY HUGHES
and Trusts have been used in the United States for over 100 years, primarily for privacy of
ownership. Many people, for various reasons, want to own real estate without public knowledge.
Perhaps they are a celebrity, politician (President Obama owns his house in the Chicago suburbs
in a land trust) or an individual that just doesn’t want the general public to know their private
business. Such persons might also fear the wrath of disgruntled tenants, vendors or building
inspectors. Further, if it were public knowledge that the richest man/woman in town owned local
rental property perhaps rent increases and maintenance requests would be perceived differently.