COOK & Associates - Estate Planning Law Firm |
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Contrary to what you've probably heard, a will may not be the best plan for you and your family--primarily because a will does not avoid probate when you die. A will must be verified by the probate court before it can be enforced. Also, because a will can only go into effect after you die, it provides no protection if you become physically or mentally incapacitated. So the court could easily take control of your assets before you die--a concern of millions of older Americans and their families. Fortunately, there is a simple and proven alternative to a will--the revocable living trust. It avoids probate, and lets you keep control of your assets while you are living--even if you become incapacitated--and after you die. (Back to Top) Probate is the legal process through which the court sees that, when you die, your debts are paid and your assets are distributed according to your will. If you don't have a valid will, your assets are distributed according to state law. (Back to Top) It can be expensive. Legal/executor fees and other costs must be paid before your assets can be fully distributed to your heirs. If you own property in other states, your family could face multiple probates, each one according to the laws in that state. Because these costs can vary widely, be sure to get an estimate. It takes time, usually nine months to two years, but often longer. During part of this time, assets are usually frozen so an accurate inventory can be taken. Nothing can be distributed or sold without court and/or executor approval. If your family needs money to live on, they must request a living allowance, which may be denied. Your family has no privacy. Probate is a public process, so any "interested party" can see what you owned and who you owed. The process "invites" disgruntled heirs to contest your will and can expose your family to unscrupulous solicitors. Your family has no control. The probate process determines how much it will cost, how long it will take, and what information is made public. (Back to Top) Not really - it usually just postpones it. With most jointly owned assets, when one owner dies, full ownership does transfer to the surviving owner without probate. But if that owner dies without adding a new joint owner, or if both owners die at the same time, the asset must be probated before it can go to the heirs. Watch out for other problems. When you add a co-owner, you lose control. Your chances of being named in a lawsuit and of losing the asset to a creditor are increased. There could be gift and/or income tax problems. And since a will does not control most jointly owned assets, you could disinherit your family. With some assets, especially real estate, all owners must sign to sell or refinance. So if a co-owner becomes incapacitated, you could find yourself with a new "co-owner" -- the court--even if the ill owner is your spouse. (Back to Top) If you can't conduct business due to mental or physical incapacity (Alzheimer's, stroke, heart attack, etc.), only a court appointee can sign for you - even if you have a will. (Remember, a will only goes into effect after you die.) Once the court gets involved, it usually stays involved until you recover or die. The court, not your family, controls how your assets are used to care for you. This public process can be expensive, embarrassing, time consuming and difficult to end if you recover. And it does not replace probate at death - your family could have to go through the court system twice! (Back to Top) A durable power of attorney lets you name someone to manage your financial affairs if you are unable to do so. However, many financial institutions won't honor one unless it's on their form. And, if accepted, it may work too well -- giving someone a "blank check" to do whatever he/she wants with your assets. It can be very effective when used with a living trust, but risky when used alone. (Back to Top) A living trust is a legal document that, just like a will, contains your instructions for what you want to happen to your assets when you die. But, unlike a will, a living trust avoids probate at death, can control all of your assets, and prevents the court from controlling your assets at incapacity. (Back to Top) When you set up a living trust, you transfer assets from your name to the name of your trust, which you control -- such as from "Bob and Sue Smith, husband and wife" to "Bob and Sue Smith, trustees under trust dated (date of trust)." Legally you no longer own anything (don't panic: everything now belongs to your trust), so there is nothing for the courts to control when you die or become incapacitated. The concept is very simple, but this is what keeps you and your family out of the courts. (Back to Top) Absolutely not. You keep full control. As trustee of your trust, you can do anything you could do before -- buy/sell assets, change or even cancel your trust (that's why it's called a revocable living trust). You even file the same tax returns. Nothing changes but the names on the titles. (Back to Top) No, and your attorney, trust officer, financial adviser and insurance agent can help. You need to change titles on real estate (in- and out-of-state) and other titled assets (stocks, CDs, bank accounts, other investments, insurance, etc.). Most living trusts also include jewelry, clothes, art, furniture, and other assets that do not have titles. Also, beneficiary designations on some assets (like insurance) should be changed to your trust so the court can't control them if a beneficiary is incapacitated or no longer living when you die. (IRA, 401(k), etc. can be exceptions.) (Back to Top) It will take some time -- but you can do it now, or you can pay the courts and attorneys to do it for you later. One of the benefits of a living trust is that all your assets are brought together under one plan. Don't delay "funding" your trust. It can only protect assets that have been transferred into it. (Back to Top) You may decide to be the trustee of your trust. However, some people select a corporate trustee (bank or trust company) to act as trustee or co-trustee now, especially if they don't have the time, ability or desire to manage their trusts, or if one or both spouses are ill. Corporate trustees are experienced investment managers, they are objective and reliable, and their fees are usually very reasonable. (Back to Top) If you and your spouse are co-trustees, either can act and have instant control if one becomes incapacitated or dies. If something happens to both of you, or if you are the only trustee, your handpicked successor trustee will step in. If a corporate trustee is already your trustee or co-trustee, they will continue to manage your trust for you. (Back to Top) If you become incapacitated, your successor trustee looks after your care and manages your financial affairs for as long as needed, using your assets to pay your expenses. If you recover, you automatically resume control. When you die, your successor trustee pays your debts and distributes your assets. All this is done quickly and privately, according to instructions in your trust, without court interference. (Back to Top) Successor trustees can be individuals (adult children, other relatives, or trusted friends) and/or a corporate trustee. If you choose an individual, you should name more than one in case your first choice is unable to act. (Back to Top) Unlike a will, a trust doesn't have to die with you. Assets can stay in your trust, managed by the person or corporate trustee you have chosen - until your beneficiaries (including minor children) reach the age(s) you want them to inherit, or to provide for a loved one with special needs. (Back to Top) If you die in 2004 and the net value of your estate (assets less debts) is more than $1.5 million, federal estate taxes (starting at 45%) must be paid. If you are married, your living trust can include a provision that will let you and your spouse leave up to $3 million estate tax-free to your loved ones, saving $705,000. (Back to Top) Not quite. A will can contain wording to create a testamentary trust to save estate taxes, care for minors, etc. But, because it's part of your will, this trust cannot go into effect until after you die and the will is probated. So it does not avoid probate and provides no protection at incapacity. (Back to Top) Not when compared to all the costs of court interference at incapacity and death. How much you pay will depend on how complicated your plan is. Be sure to get an estimate. (Back to Top) It should only take a few weeks to prepare the legal documents after you make the basic decisions. (Back to Top) Yes, but you need the right attorney. A local attorney who has considerable experience in living trusts will be able to give you valuable guidance and peace of mind that your trust is prepared properly. In some states, qualified paralegals can now also prepare trust documents; however, they cannot give you legal advice. (Back to Top) Yes, you need a "pour-over" will that acts as a safety net if you forget to transfer an asset to your trust. When you die, the will "catches" the forgotten asset and sends it into your trust. The asset may have to go through probate first, but it can then be distributed as part of your living trust plan. (Back to Top) No. A living trust is for financial affairs. A living will is for medical affairs&emdash;it lets others know how you feel about life support in terminal situations. (Back to Top) No, they've been used successfully for hundreds of years. (Back to Top) Age, marital status and wealth don't really matter. If you own titled assets and want your loved ones (spouse, children or parents) to avoid court interference at your death or incapacity, consider a living trust. You may also want to encourage other family members to have one so you won't have to deal with the courts at their incapacities or deaths. (Back to Top) . Avoids probate at death, including multiple probates if you own property in other states . Prevents court control of assets at incapacity . Brings all your assets together under one plan . Provides maximum privacy . Quicker distribution of assets to beneficiaries . Assets can remain in trust until you want beneficiaries to inherit . Can reduce or eliminate estate taxes . Inexpensive, easy to set up and maintain . Can be changed or cancelled at any time . Difficult to contest . Prevents court control of minors' inheritances . Can protect dependents with special needs . Prevents unintentional disinheriting and other problems of joint ownership . Professional management with corporate trustee . Peace of mind (Back to Top) |
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement. Last Modified: August 15, 2007