Financial Planning

Leaving an IRA to a Trust

Published on: October 10, 2024 | by Ettinger Law Firm

An IRA may not be transferred to a trust without causing the whole IRA to be taxed. The “I” in IRA stands for “individual” — it must be owned by a single person. In practice, there is no need to transfer an IRA to a trust since IRA’s avoid probate by having a “designated beneficiary” and the principal of an IRA is exempt from being “spent down” for your long-term care needs. However, an IRA may be left to a trust. In other words you may name a trust as a designated beneficiary of an IRA.

There are many reasons why one would want to leave an IRA to a trust. The beneficiary may be a minor, they may be irresponsible, have substance or alcohol abuse issues, learning disabled, special needs, dominated by a spouse, facing divorce or bankruptcy, or you may simply want to control where the IRA money goes if your designated beneficiary dies before the IRA is completely distributed. Similarly an IRA is often left to the Inheritance Protection Trust to protect it from your child’s divorces or creditors and to keep the asset in the bloodline.

There are two types of trusts that may be named a beneficiary of an IRA — “conduit” trusts and “accumulation” trusts. A conduit trust simply acts as a conduit of the ten year payout under the SECURE Act. In other words, whatever is taken from the IRA must be distributed immediately to the trust beneficiary, the trust acting as a conduit only.

The Secure Act and Your IRA

Published on: November 2, 2022 | by Ettinger Law Firm

The Secure Act governs distributions from IRA’s and other retirement plans. After the death of the account holder, most named beneficiaries are required to take the funds out over ten years.

While the IRS has not finalized the regulations, the safest approach is to take minimum distributions for the first nine years, based on the life expectancy of the beneficiary. More may be taken, and taxes will be based on that amount. The way the minimum distribution works is as follows. Let’s say the beneficiary has a life expectancy of forty years when the account holder dies. In the year following the account holder’s death they must take one-fortieth, the following year one-thirty-ninth, and so on until year ten when they are required to take the retirement account balance in full.

There are a few exceptions to the ten year rule. Spouses may roll the inherited IRA into an IRA of their own and continue it for their own lifetime — generally waiting until they are 72 to start taking required minimum distributions (RMD’s) unless they need the funds earlier.

Remember to Learn Your Parent’s Finance Plans

Published on: June 12, 2022 | by Ettinger Law Firm

The unfortunate truth is that everyone’s parents will ultimately pass away even though the average life expectancy is increasing. While some of our parents pass away while we are children, other people lose their parents when they are adults. Even though this is a grim reality, it is best to prepare for this eventuality. Because you can lose a parent at any time, you should do everything possible to prepare for this occurrence. It’s important to know just why but also how and what to talk about with your parents when it comes to estate planning.

Why These Conversations Are Important

Without documenting plans for your parent’s approach to what will happen after they pass away, you can end up in a difficult situation. Without access to your parent’s funds, you might be left to pay for the various costs they leave behind when they pass away. Unfortunately, this means that some caregivers end up spending their own money in these situations. Besides the additional costs, your parent’s end-of-life plans are also less likely to be achieved. Having conversations about these matters before your parent passes away or becomes incapacitated makes sure you’re able to tackle these issues.

Austin Case Provides Estate Planning Lessons

Published on: June 2, 2022 | by Ettinger Law Firm

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals recently saw the case of Austin v. Roesler and Campbell, which provides some valuable reminders about what to do (and not do) while estate planning.

The Facts Behind the Case

The case involved a woman who executed her will in 1977, which directed that following the woman’s death the entirety of her property is given to her husband. The will also contains provisions that direct the distribution of assets in case the woman’s husband predeceased her. In this situation, the woman stated that all of her property be transferred to her children. In case any of the woman’s children pass away before her, the woman’s will states that the assets should go to the surviving heirs.

Taking the Time to Begin (And Complete) Your Estate Plan

Published on: May 5, 2022 | by Ettinger Law Firm

One unanticipated effect of the Covid-19 pandemic is it made many people realize that time is short. If you delay doing something too long, the risk exists that you might never have the chance to do it. Many people are following this advice when it comes to things like changing jobs, divorcing, and purchasing homes. Estate planning, however, works just the same way.

The Covid-19 Pandemic and Estate Planning

People who delayed estate planning during the Covid-19 pandemic realized just how important it was to create estate plans. This trend continues even though the height of the pandemic has passed. There are some people unfortunately who despite their best effort cannot finalize their estate plans. These individuals begin the estate planning process but then stop. Sometimes, these people try to pick up and complete estate planning months or even years later. These individuals often find themselves simply overwhelmed with the number of choices that must be made in the estate planning process. Other times, people are simply confused about what estate planning strategy works best for them. Additionally, many people resist having to confront their mortality and accept that one day, they simply will not be alive.

Social Security in 2022 and Beyond

Published on: April 10, 2022 | by Ettinger Law Firm

The Social Security Program is 86 years old and has become a fundamental aspect of how many aging people pay for expenses. Despite its vast importance, social security is full of challenges and weaknesses.

Estate planning professionals once referred to a “three-legged stool” for retirement planning in this country. The three legs included a pension, personal savings, and Social Security payments. Pensions that secure income is not nearly as common as they once were. Furthermore, a very small portion of people in the United States has support from each of these three legs.

Since 1940, however, Social Security has remained a steadfast source of payment. Many people, however, are uncertain about the program’s future. While the program’s demise is not granted, Social Security’s funds are certainly on a downward trend and they must be fixed if they’re to last. If Congress fails to take action, very soon Social Security might lack the funds to pay its promised benefits.

Clark Case Provides Lesson on How to Avoid Family Estate Planning Disputes

Published on: April 7, 2022 | by Ettinger Law Firm

In the recent case of Clark v. Clark, two brothers initiated legal action against another brother concerning the other brother’s ability to function as trustee of a trust as the result of a brain injury. The men’s mother established a testamentary trust previously that held family business and appointed the third brother as trustee. The will stated that if anything happened to the third brother, the other two brothers would be designated as co-trustees. The two brothers claimed that due to the brain injury, the third brother could no longer function in this role. As a result, the two brothers thought to be named successor co-trustees under the will.

While the court also considered a nuanced injunction issue, the court ultimately relied on a plain text reading to determine that due to the third brother’s brain injury, the brother had stopped or was not capable of functioning as a trustee and that the other two brothers were appointed successor co-trustees.

What Makes Succession Planning Critical

What Should You Do After a Loved One Passes Away?

Published on: March 14, 2022 | by Ettinger Law Firm

When a person passes away, survivors almost always remember the need to take several important actions. Often, some of these actions are time-sensitive and must be performed within a narrow time window. Given the substantial emotional repercussion of losing a loved one, the process is often overwhelming and can even be difficult to navigate. To better prepare you for what happens after an elderly loved one passes away, this article reviews some important steps that you will likely need to take or at the very least consider taking.

Actions Immediately After a Loved One’s Death

Many people find themselves in shock immediately following a loved one’s death. During this period, it’s critical, however, to take some important steps, which include the following:

Making the Most of Estate Planning in 2022

Published on: February 12, 2022 | by Ettinger Law Firm

While some people anticipated otherwise, 2022 started without any new federal regulation or tax changes addressing estate planning. As proposed legislation passed through the legislative process in 2021, major potential changes to federal estate and gift tax were dropped. These potential changes included a decrease in the estate and gift tax exemption as well as the elimination of a step-up basis.

Furthermore, no reports exist that any changes will be made any time soon. This is not a guarantee, though. Potential changes can emerge at any point in the future. While no changes are looming, it’s worth noting that one substantial change will occur in a few years when in 2025, the federal estate and gift exemption will be reduced to $5,000 per person.

Positive Changes to Estate Planning This Year

Taking the Time to Review or Create an Estate Plan

Published on: February 12, 2022 | by Ettinger Law Firm

Each year, it’s important for anyone interested in planning for the future of their assets to either create or revise their estate plan. Taking the time and including loved ones in estate planning discussions is the best thing that you can do to avoid conflict or estate planning disagreements.

Estate planning involves planning for the use of your assets after you become incapacitated or pass away. While many people think that estate plans are written in stone, this is not the truth. In actuality, various life events including births and divorce should lead people to review and ultimately revise the terms of their estate plan.

Acknowledge What You Own