Trusts

Golden Globe Winning Film Explores the Trust Industry

Published on: January 19, 2012 | by Ettinger Law Firm

Estate planning usually doesn’t come to mind when one thinks about award winning Hollywood movies. Most popular films are about great adventures, tragedies, and disasters. Planning for one’s long term financial and medical well-being, on the contrary, is all about prudently working to avoid major crisis or drama. However, a film that many movie buffs believe has the inside track to win this year’s Academy Award for Best Film actually involves estate planning, with a trust and a trustee at the center of the action. This weekend the movie won the Golden Globe Award for Best Dramatic Film.

“The Descendants” tells the tale of a man who is dealing with the impending death of his wife who suffered a traumatic injury and is on life support. The film’s protagonist, played by George Clooney, is the victim’s husband. As his wife slips away he is forced to deal with the consequences of handling her estate. She had come from a very wealthy family, and the couple (along with their two children) had lived on acreage of land in Hawaii that was held in trust.

Clooney, as the husband, is the trustee of his wife’s multi-generational estate worth billions. The other trust heirs (his cousins) want to sell the land to generate income to meet their personal needs. However, Clooney remain unsure of the best long-term decision. He knows that the original intent of the family was to preserve the land for succeeding generations.

Adding Charitable Giving As Part of Your Estate Plan

Published on: January 10, 2012 | by Ettinger Law Firm

New York estate planning is primarily concerned with passing on assets to family members and saving taxes in the process. While the inheritance planning portion of the effort may seem straightforward, there are many considerations involved. It is much more than simply saying that John gets the house and Jane gets the car. When done right, the process should include consideration of many issues like what legacy one wishes to leave, how they’d like their children to remember them, and what values they wish to pass on. For many families this process involves leaving some assets to a charity of choice.

A story in this weekend’s Western Farm Press emphasized how charitable giving is an important part of estate planning for many families. It was a follow up to an article that had been recently written about the value that farm families have in visiting an estate planning attorney to keep a farm alive in the future. The latest story noted that including valued charities in one’s inheritance is a helpful way do some good while saving on taxes in the process.

It was explained how using these charitable donations in combination with estate tax exemptions can go a long way to pass along assets to desired family, friends, and causes without losing it to the government. Many assets that have appreciated significantly in value can be given to charity which may allow them to avoid being eaten up by capital gains taxes. Also, retirement savings, like IRAs, can be included in estate planning efforts to benefit charity. This often helps to reduce or eliminate tax liabilities. When done properly it can increase the funds that are going to heirs while also increasing the amount provided to a charity.

Farm Assets Protected By Estate Plan

Published on: December 28, 2011 | by Ettinger Law Firm

Western Farm Press published a story yesterday reminding readers of the importance of conducting proper estate planning. The publication, geared toward those in the agricultural industry, explained that many farms had been saved that otherwise would have been split up because of savvy planning ahead of time. The story reminded readers of a basic principle that ourNew York estate planning lawyers wholeheartedly endorse. It noted that planning is important regardless of the size of one’s estate so that “if something happens to you today, your assets will go where you want them to go, to the people you want to have them.”

In the context of farms, it is particularly important to consider the tax implications of asset transfers upon death. It was explained that many farms have been lost when one party in the operation dies, leaving others unable to pay the taxes that come due. Estate taxes are hard to pay without selling the very property that one acquires. Farmers are often asset and land rich, but cash poor. That means that those who inherent a farm are often required to sell the land itself to come up with the cash needed to pay the tax bill. Estate tax issues may not be a problem for those in certain income brackets, but there remains constant volatility in the area. For many families their tax liability could change dramatically from year to year depending on what the laws happen to be at the time that one passes on.

Regardless of estate tax concerns, however, there are many basic estate and inheritance planning issues that are important for farmers to consider. The story suggests that it is helpful to think of one’s estate as in either accumulation mode, conservation mode, or transfer mode. The younger generations are often still acquiring assets, while older community members are likely to want to preserve what they have or pass it along. Estate planning helps most clearly with preservation and transfer.

Art and Antique Succession Planning Should Not Be Overlooked

Published on: December 5, 2011 | by Ettinger Law Firm

In many cases the most difficult aspect of conducting proper New York estate planning is ensuring that everything necessary is taken into account. Experienced New York estate planning lawyers usually know what options make the most sense in any given situation, but those plans are less effective if certain aspects of a community members’ situation are not accounted for within the overall plan. Few individuals forget to discuss assets like bank accounts and real estate. Fewer take the time to conduct less common planning needs, such as ensuring proper business succession details are in place.

Another often overlooked planning area involves art and antique collections. Last week Wealth Management discussed some tips for art succession planning. The authors noted many families have considerable wealth invested in their antique or art collections, but many fail to take much planning care with these items. The articles notes that “Many don’t realize the true value of their ‘stuff,’ thinking that the antique toy collection, family jewelry, or painting passed down by grandpa have no significant worth for which succession planning is essential.” Often that idea is misguided. A new Social Welfare Institute study from researchers out of Boston College found that in a few decades inter-generational asset transfers will total $41 trillion, of which roughly 10-13% will be art and antiques.

Considering that sizeable sum, it is incumbent that these objects be properly accounted for in all estate plans. Failure to do so is a serious preparation mistake. Not accounting for these assets may result in significant tax liabilities. Also, without proper evaluation there may be large discrepancies in the asset allocation to heirs–with one child getting much more than another accidentally. Even worse, heirs may dispose of collectibles at rates much less than their actual worth if they do not suspect something is valuable and are not given any guidance on its worth.

Forbes Shares Information on Celebrity Estate Planning Stories

Published on: November 18, 2011 | by Ettinger Law Firm

Families across the country will come together to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday next week. As a Forbes article recently explained, the holiday is a perfect time to discuss estate planning issues, because the planning is all about helping out one’s family. One of the main goals of an estate plan is to ensure that surviving family members will be taken care of and not forced to endure stressful, complicated, and costly procedures to get financial affairs in order following a death.

One way to broach the topic over Thanksgiving dinner, say the article authors, is to frame the talk in the context of high-profile celebrity stories. The article includes a list of the “Top 5 Celebrity-Based Estate Planning Conversation Starters.” Kim Kardashian’s story made the list to highlight the role that marriages have on one’s estate. The socialite ended her seventy two day marriage last month. Of course all marriages (short and long) have significant effects on one’s estate planning documents, and estate planning attorneys should be consulted when a marriage is entered into or ended. It is smart to make appropriate changes even before a divorce is finalized; otherwise the estranged spouse may still retain control if a death occurs before the separation is official.

The feud over Michael Jackson’s estate is also ripe with lessons. It was explained how the music pop star created a trust before he died and named his mother, three children, and personal charity as beneficiaries. Two trustees were named to help manage the trust. Our New York estate planning lawyers help clients in our community create these legal entities all the time. However, besides creating the trust, it is vital that the trust be “funded.” Funding is the process where assets are moved from an estate and into the trust. Failure to do this makes the trusts seemingly ineffective. That is where problems have arisen for the Jackson estate.

An Estate Planning “Perfect Storm”

Published on: November 7, 2011 | by Ettinger Law Firm

Investment News published a story yesterday declaring that the current financial, political, and social climate made it a “perfect storm” for estate planning. It was explained how tax policy proposals, low interest rates, and a relatively weak economy make now a particularly worthwhile time for local families to take steps to plan for their long-term financial future. Our New York estate planning attorneys continue to help many local families do just that. As one observer explained in the article, “If individuals are trying to transition assets to the next generation, we currently have a perfect storm–in a good sense–to do it.”

Any time is a good idea to visit a professional and make future financial preparations. However, it may be particularly valuable to do so now, because planning strategies currently available might soon be gone. For one thing, large estate tax and gift tax exemptions now make it possible for individuals to transfer up to $5 million (or $10 million for couples) tax free. However, it is unlikely that the current tax scheme will remain–it is only a matter of what changes will be made and when. Observers have noted that estate rules have been changed 19 times in the last quarter century alone.

The current climate may present particularly attractive options encouraging some families to make major decisions to save on taxes and pass on assets. But many advocates explain that the tried and true planning tools that have long been available often remain the best way for many community members to accomplish their long-term estate planning goals. For example, while it may be favorable to give large gifts in the current environment, many families are uncomfortable making extremely large gifts. Instead, their goals may be best met by making smaller gifts under the $13,000 annual exemption amount. Those families can then save on estate taxes down the road by setting up trusts that distribute money more conservatively along the way.

New York Inheritance Issues in Second Marriages

Published on: October 3, 2011 | by Ettinger Law Firm

Proper Inheritance planning requires much more than simply filing in the blanks on standardized forms. That is why experienced New York estate planning attorneys are essential advisors when local community members are evaluating their long-term financial preparations. Proper planning of these affairs requires consideration of unique family dynamics and an ability to anticipate potential issues before they actually arise. Anticipating possible conflict and accounting for it ahead of time is one of the main benefits that local residents can derive from creating and updating their New York estate plan.

For example, local families often have concerns about the effect that a second marriage will have on their inheritance plans. Many emotions are at play when a parent remarries after a divorce or the death of a spouse. As a CNN story this weekend explained, adult children commonly express apprehension when a parent re-enters the dating pool or indicates a wish to get remarried. Financial concerns are occasionally the cause of that trepidation. One woman who lost her father several years ago explained, “I want my mom to be happy, but how do I know that her suitors don’t have ulterior motives? I’m concerned that she’ll jump into another marriage and her second husband will take advantage of her financially.”

Conversations between loved ones about these issues are frequently thorny and often result in strained family relationships. On one hand, as the article author notes, a parent is free to use their finances as they see fit. After all, an inheritance is not an entitlement but a gift. However, adult children need not stand by if a parent is genuinely making damaging financial decisions or is legitimately being taken advantage of–elder financial exploitation is a common problem. Therefore, in these situations an experienced, trained professional can often provide a crucial perspective to balance the competing concerns.

When Considering Inheritances, Baby Boomers Fear Children’s Financial Acumen

Published on: September 15, 2011 | by Ettinger Law Firm

Professional inheritance planning continues to rise in popularity among all classes of society as more and more seniors reach retirement age and come to appreciate the legal tools available to help in their planning efforts. Interestingly, a new poll discussed in Time magazine this month explains that many of the newest retirees from the Baby Boomer generation have doubts about their heirs’ ability to manage an inheritance. This is a common concern, and our New York estate planning lawyers work with many clients in this area who are specifically tailoring their plans to account for it.

The new survey found that only 49% of millionaire Baby Boomers indicated that leaving money to their children was a priority in their estate planning. When analyzed closely it is clear that the polling figures do not indicate that these parents have stopped worrying about the well-being of their children. Instead, many of them have deep concerns about the effect that a large inheritance will have on their offspring. For example, one-fifth of survey respondents felt that their children would simply squander the inheritance and a quarter of these seniors thought that receiving too much money would only make their heirs lazy. Perhaps because of this, a majority of these retirees admit that they keep their children in the dark about their exact net worth so as to prevent expectations about what will be left behind.

Fear about the financial sense of children has long been a concern for local community members. For decades, attorneys at our New York elder law estate planning firm have worked with residents who were worried about a family member’s ability to handle money. Fortunately, tailoring inheritance plans to account for spendthrift children is exactly a benefit one derives from seeking professional help in this area. A variety of trusts exist which allow parents to pass on the assets they feel appropriate to their heirs in a way that guards against their fears that the inheritance would be wasted, abused, or usurped by a non-relative.

Many Middle Class Families in New York Use Trusts in Estate Plan

Published on: September 6, 2011 | by Ettinger Law Firm

One of our New York estate planning attorneys, Bonnie Kraham, Esq., recently authored an article that shares information on the increasing use of trusts in the estate plan of many local middle class families. The story was published in this weekend’s Times Herald-Record, and explains the various types of trusts that residents can use and the way that each holds and transfers property. Unfortunately, there remains a misconception among some local community members that creating a New York trust is a project only for the wealthy. That is not the case. As attorney Kraham notes, there has been a “living trust revolution” over the past few decades where many middle class families have discovered the ways in which these legal entities can be used to avoid probate, save taxes, and protect assets.

All trusts begin with a written agreement, and each includes at least three necessary parties. These include a “grantor” who creates the trust, “trustee” who manages the assets, and “beneficiaries” who use the trust assets. For example, the three roles may be filled when a senior couple creates a trust (grantors) to be managed by their lawyer (trustee) to provide for the couple’s children (beneficiaries). The three roles need not be filled by different individuals, however. Often a grantor will also act as beneficiary, so that they can still use those assets while they are alive. Following the written agreement which establishes the trust, assets are transferred into the entity by way of “retitling.” This involves changing the name on accounts, mutual funds, and stock certificates to the name of the trust, and transferring title to property to the trust.

The two main types of trusts are testamentary and living. Testamentary trusts are created only after an individual’s death pursuant to their will, while living trusts are created while a grantor is still alive. Living trusts are an increasingly common way for many families to transfer assets at death. Among other benefits, a living trust can help families avoid probate, saving time and expense in closing the estate.

Parents Grapple with Effect of Inheritances and the Meaning of Money

Published on: June 4, 2011 | by Ettinger Law Firm

New York inheritance planning involves passing on values as well as assets. No matter how large the family estate, most parents think long and hard about how their inheritance will affect the lives of their children. For many there are no easy answers to questions like how new wealth will affect their children’s independence or how much wealth is the appropriate balance between proper inheritance and philanthropy.

As a story last week in the Belleville News Democrat explained, many parents are taking steps to share important information about the meaning of money as part of their inheritance plan. Most families strive to pass on the right amount of money so that children are provided for but still maintain the incentive to work, strive, and succeed.

One hardworking family, including a 60-year old retired teacher and 62-year old real estate broker, explained how they have worked with their now 30-year old daughter on financial matters, noting “We really want to encourage her to develop a personal financial plan, a personal philosophy, and become really familiar with the types of investments.” The family admits that frankness and early discussions about these issues is important. Children should know what to expect and parents should not be afraid to share their concerns with their loved one.

Some are worried that their loved ones may be unprepared to handle the estate that they receive. Those families often face issues with asset planning for spendthrift children. They are aware that their children are poor at handling money or inexperienced with such matters. Many options exist for parents in those situations. For example, trusts are perfect tools to ensure that a child has access to reasonable assets but is unable to abuse the overall value of the estate. In these situations a designated “trustee” manages the actual estate with rules about what the child receives and when they receive it.
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