Everyone talks about having a will or some type of legal document specifying how they would like their assets distributed either through a will or through any variety of living trusts. Did you know that only 20% of Americans have a living trust?
Here we discuss the best reasons to consider putting one in place. The professionals at the Law Offices of James C. Shields invite you to call them for a one-on-one discussion to see if a living trust is right for your situation.
How is a Living Trust different from a Will?
In the simplest explanation, a living trust, (or revocable trust), is a legal entity that protects your assets while you are alive, for your use and is later distributed to your designated beneficiaries per your wishes and instructions upon your demise. You maintain control of your assets throughout the whole time you are alive. You may withdraw assets, add assets, etc. It is a "living" document. (2)
A will is a legal document that specifies how you wish your assets to be distributed upon your demise. Nothing happens until you pass.
Is a Living Trust Right for You?
1. Avoiding Probate
The most popular aspect of a living trust is that it avoids court processing (probate). With a will, your assets will go into probate, whereby the court ensures that your assets are distributed your assets according to your instructions by the executor.
Since a living trust bypasses probate, the distribution of the assets goes much quicker. Your named successor trustee ensures your debts are paid and distributes your assets accordingly. (3)
2. Steps Involved
Remember, a living trust is a far more complex document than a will and will cost you more on the front end. The attorneys at James C. Shields can handle all the details and will help make the transition seamless. There are many steps that need to be covered-- why leave anything to chance? The Shields law firm can help with such things as:
- Transferring your assets: stocks and bonds, bank accounts, certificates, etc. There are complex arrangements to "funding the trust"
- Naming the trust as the beneficiary to your life insurance policy
- Dealing with your 401(k) & IRA Accounts
- Creating pour-over wills" --this document protects assets that were inadvertently excluded or that may have been acquired after the living trust was created but before your death. Pour-over will go through probate
3. Saving You Money Long-Term
- As mentioned earlier, the trust will not have to go through probate, therefore there would be virtually no court costs.
- Additionally, should someone contest the will and the distribution of your assets, a living trust is more than likely to hold up better; you could run into heavy court costs contesting a will
- Income and estate taxes are essentially the same in either scenario; joint living trusts may provide savings for married couples.
- Living trusts provide no benefit to those with no significant assets or young marrieds with no children.
4. Privacy Levels
- Keep in mind that a living trust is private; upon your death, your estate will be distributed privately
- A will is a public record and all transactions made public
- Out of state property will have to go through probate in its own state; a living trust helps you avoid probate.
5. Other benefits
- In accordance with living trusts, in the event you become incapacitated, your successor trustee takes over and manages your affairs without having to deal with the court system. Also, if you disputed your incapacitation, re can regain control yourself.
- If only a will without a durable power of attorney exists, the court will oversee the estate by appointing someone to handle your financial affairs; the appointee reports to the court for approval of expenses, sales of property, etc. (this can be avoided by drawing up a durable power of attorney that includes health care decisions).
Most tax planners agree that the larger the estate value the greater the need for a living trust.
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Living Trusts
Once the property is put into it an irrevocable trust, it belongs to the trust and you cannot retrieve it. This property is not evaluated for estate tax purposes. This is one of the biggest benefits of an irrevocable trust. (1)
Gift tax, estate task, etc.
In establishing trusts, keep in mind that there may be tax consequences such as gift tax, estate tax, and state inheritance tax. For a comprehensive guide to your estate planning, call the Law Offices of James C. Shields.
Article Resources
(3) https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/living-trust-faq.html
