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...
Trusts
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...
Your estate does not have to go through probate
Probate is the court-controlled process a will goes through before distributing the estate to the beneficiaries. It serves to validate the will and ensure that it is executed as per the deceased's wishes. It sounds pretty straightforward, but there are several reasons...
Is your estate plan going to ruin an heir’s benefits?
When you create your estate plan, you know you have an heir with a lot of special needs, and so you plan to leave the bulk of your assets to them. You believe that this is the best way that you can help them even after you're gone. However, one unintended consequence...
California estate planning: Yes, there is a trust for that
One of the most powerful tools you can include in your estate planning arsenal is a well-drafted trust. With this document, you can enjoy flexibility when leaving assets to your heirs. You can also add more than one trust to your estate plan, allowing you to address...
Signs that a trustee is not fulfilling the duties
An effective, decisive and conscientious trustee is needed to oversee the assets within a trust. It is a role with great responsibilities in handing out assets to the trust’s beneficiaries. The trustee must have certain qualities that the grantor or trustor – the...
What mistakes do people make when creating a trust?
From an estate planning perspective, creating a trust may be the best decision you can make. As you begin to learn more about this option, it's important to focus on what you should and should not be doing. Here are some of the many mistakes that people continually...