718.713.8080
718.713.8080
718.713.8080

Trusts & Estate Planning

Many people have misconceptions about trusts, thinking that a trust is merely a tool for a multi-millionaire to support their children. Trusts can be invaluable tools in the estate plans of many of individuals.

Trusts are simply an arrangement where one party holds property on behalf of another party. In an estate planning context, trusts are created by the person doing the estate planning (the settlor), who authorizes another person (the trustee) to manage the assets for the benefit of a third party (the beneficiaries). There are many reasons for establishing trusts, including tax minimization, or providing for the needs of underage beneficiaries.

Some types of trusts that may be useful in estate planning are:

  • Trusts for minors. Many people leave money to their children or their grandchildren in a trust as part of a comprehensive estate plan. This is typically done to ensure the money is there for the children’s benefit, so that costs such as education, medical expenses, etc.can be met. Once the children reach a certain age or achievement level (such as obtaining a bachelor’s degree), they may receive money from the trust to do with as they please.
  • Special needs trusts. Special needs trusts are tools that enable a person to leave property to an individual with special needs. Many individuals with special needs receive government benefits. If they were to suddenly inherit money, they would be disqualified in most cases from those benefits until the inheritance was spent. Special needs trusts protect those individuals’ government benefits while allowing them to have money for any extras they may need.
  • Marital trusts. Married couples sometimes include trusts in their wills, or separately, for the benefit of their spouse, typically for two reasons: (1) taxes, and (2) property protection. In previous years, marital trusts were needed for some couples to take advantage of estate tax exemptions, and they may be needed in the future, as the laws may change. Marital trusts can also protect property from a spouse to ensure that it ultimately goes where it needs to go. For example, a husband with grown children from a previous marriage may decide to let his wife use his property after he passes, but hey may put it into a trust so that after she passes away, it goes to his children.
  • Revocable living trusts. Revocable living trusts are documents completely separate from wills although they often work hand in hand with wills to carry out the decedent’s wishes. Revocable living trusts are primarily used to avoid probate in states where probate is particularly cumbersome, or in a few other instances, such as when a person owns real estate in multiple states.
  • Irrevocable life insurance trusts. Irrevocable life insurance trusts can be used in order to move a person’s life insurance proceeds beyond his or her estate for estate tax purposes.
  • Spendthrift trusts. Spendthrift trusts are generally established to protect the beneficiaries’ assets from both themselves and creditors. These trusts usually have an independent trustee which has complete discretion over the distribution of assets of the trust.

Each of these different types of trusts can be customized to serve a valuable purpose in accomplishing the wishes of those making gifts or planning an estate. Creating a customized trust can benefit you as well as your loved ones. Our New York legacy lawyers team can help you assess your finances and goals to determine the best options for preserving your legacy.

Related Content

Recent Posts

Our Office

Contact Us Today

“*” indicates required fields

718.713.8080
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
© 2023 New York Legacy Lawyers by Yana Feldman and Associates

Phone: 718.713.8080 | Fax: 888.353.4088
132 32nd Street Suite 301, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Attorney Advertising | Disclaimer / Privacy Policy | Powered by BSPE Legal Marketing

Website developed in accordance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1.
If you encounter any issues while using this site, please contact us: 718.713.8080