A revocable living trust is often created alongside a will. This opportunity allows you to name a trustee and transfer ownership of your assets to beneficiaries while you are living. This means that your trustee has ownership of the asset, but you can still make...
Trusts
What can you do about your pets after you pass away?
You likely treat your pet as if they were your child. You care for their needs, greet them every day and likely have spent many years watching them grow older. However, they’ve likely been watching you grow older, too, and may even outlive you. While it’s hard to...
Why should a trustee have some discretion?
When you set up a trust as part of your estate plan, you pick a trustee. This person is in charge of authorizing and distributing payments to the beneficiary. The beneficiary may have no ability to access the money on their own. These trusts can be designed with a...
How do incentive trusts work?
An incentive trust is one that incentivizes the beneficiary to do a particular thing. They only receive the payout if they complete or achieve the thing or things you stipulate. A few examples might be they must graduate from law school, or they must get...
A special needs trust can ensure a lifetime of care
If you have a loved one with special needs, you may be worried about their future. How will they get by when you are no longer around? Who will manage their finances and provide for them? How will they maintain their eligibility for government benefits? A special...
How do you know if you need help with trust administration?
Has a close friend or beloved relative designated you as the trustee of one or more trusts? If so, it is wise to know what is expected of you as a trustee. The administration of a trust involves completing many detail-oriented tasks. Even a seemingly simple mistake on...
Can life insurance pay into a trust?
A life insurance policy can be a great way to care for your family members if you were to pass away. It can also be a way to simply leave them more assets after an expected passing. Many people will do their estate planning around their life insurance policy. You may...
How do revocable trusts work?
A trust is a legal arrangement where you give another party, known as the trustee, authority to manage your assets on behalf of a beneficiary or beneficiaries. There are several types of trusts to choose from, but a major difference is whether they are revocable or...
What is a Totten trust and how does it help your estate plan?
Creating an estate plan takes a lot of work because you have to ensure that you have everything set for your loved ones when you pass away. While you might be focused on the will that you need to create, there are other things to think about. When some people hear...
Should I set up a spendthrift trust for my adult child?
You want to leave a substantial amount of money for your adult child to inherit when you are gone. Your plan has always been to provide enough for them to live on for the rest of their lives. However, in the last year, you have noticed that your child is recklessly...