If part of your estate plan includes the creation of a trust, you want to ensure that you choose the right trustee. While your trust will specify the kinds of responsibilities and limitations your trustee will have, trustees typically come from one of two sources: either family members or professional organizations. Let's take a look at both of these options so you can determine which choice best suits your trust. Family Members Family members are a popular choice for trustee primarily … [Read more...] about The Correct Way to Choose a Trustee
Trusts
Small Business Owners: Don’t Forget to Plan
If you own a small business, you have plenty to think about on a daily basis. However, have you considered what would happen to the business upon your death. If the business has been successful, you also likely have a considerable financial interest in the business. Without careful planning, the value of your financial interest in the business can be subject to either gift or estate taxes upon your death. Although there are numerous options that may be used to help reduce estate or gift taxes, … [Read more...] about Small Business Owners: Don’t Forget to Plan
Incentive Trusts: Using Your Legacy to Benefit Your Loved Ones
Leaving someone an inheritance is not as simple as adding some zeros to his or her bank account balance. It can be…but this is not always in the best interests of your loved ones. It’s likely that some of your heirs are mature and established with a history of being able to handle their own affairs appropriately, and you may have no concerns about them. But you may also have some younger heirs who have not yet made their marks in life, or some family members who have personal problems or a … [Read more...] about Incentive Trusts: Using Your Legacy to Benefit Your Loved Ones
Do All Estates Have to Go Through Probate?
If you have recently suffered the loss of a family member or loved one, you may be concerned about the legal steps required to probate the decedent’s estate. Probate is the legal process in court by which a decedent’s estate assets are inventoried and valued, debts of the decedent are paid and assets eventually transferred to the beneficiaries or heirs of the estate. Whether or not an estate must go through probate depends on a number of factors. Wills, Trusts, and Estate matters are governed … [Read more...] about Do All Estates Have to Go Through Probate?
Revocable Living Trusts Are Not All the Same
Perhaps the most common form of estate planning today involves a Revocable Living Trust. Normally, when you create a Revocable Living Trust, you retitle your assets in the name of the trust and use them for your own benefit. After you pass away, the Trust distributes any remaining assets in the Trust to the named beneficiaries according to the terms of the Trust. However, there are other ways to use a Revocable Living Trust to distribute your assets to your heirs. If you have young children, … [Read more...] about Revocable Living Trusts Are Not All the Same
Special Needs Planning; Some Considerations
If you are the parent of a child with special needs, planning for his or her future without parents is a more critical matter than the issue would be for a parent of a child who is not disabled. The concerns are twofold: who will your care for child if you become incapacitated and what happens to the child at your death? Some of the questions you need to consider when you begin the planning process are: Whom would you trust as guardian for your child if you were unable to care for them … [Read more...] about Special Needs Planning; Some Considerations
Key Reasons Not to Die Without a Will or Trust
Many people die without taking the time to create a will or trust. Wills and trusts are powerful estate planning documents that allows individuals to be in control of the future. It’s important to consider the use of these documents, so that you can plan ahead. If you don’t take the time to plan, your wishes may not be respected. Take a look at the following 4 reasons as to why you don’t want to die without a will or trust. If you have any questions, or if you’d like to begin drafting you … [Read more...] about Key Reasons Not to Die Without a Will or Trust
Estate Size and Living Trusts
A question that often comes up in estate planning is “How much money do you need to get a Living Trust?” The question is a fundamental misunderstanding, but a common one. Although there would not be much point in doing so, you can put as little as a single penny into a Living Trust. The question is based on the premise that Living Trusts are designed for rich people. It’s a false premise. Living Trusts are designed for anyone who either wants to give something for one person to manage for the … [Read more...] about Estate Size and Living Trusts
Who Should Be Your Child’s Guardian?
A well constructed estate plang will not only addresses the distribution of your assets, but can also nominate a guardian for minor children. While there are legalities to consider, it’s important to remember that you are also determining the quality of your children’s lives if you die before they reach the age of 18. Many parents understandably have a difficult time imagining their children without them. But they need to consider many factors for guardianship, including: Type of … [Read more...] about Who Should Be Your Child’s Guardian?
What You Need to Know About Testamentary Trusts
A good trust is one that suits your needs and desires. For many parents with young children, a testamentary trust is exactly what you are looking for if you are concerned about your children being able to manage property if you were to die suddenly. Here are a couple of quick points about testamentary trusts and why they are useful. The trust relationship. Every trust is basically a specific legal relationship between certain people. When you create a trust you select who these people are … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know About Testamentary Trusts
