The general idea behind an irrevocable trust is that it cannot be changed or modified after it is created. However, even though this sounds like a fundamental rule, there are exceptions. It depends on how the trust was created and exactly what rules were laid out. In...
Trust Administration
Education trusts are not just for college
When people generally talk about education trusts, they mean that the money can be used to pay for tuition and related costs at a college or a university. It is important to note that, while this is how it often works, the trust does not have to be so limited. It can...
Creating a trust that plans for the unexpected
When you create a trust, it is important to think about the unexpected -- about the things that may happen that you cannot predict. You do not want to accidentally keep money from your heirs when you would have preferred to pass it on to them. You can't change the...
A trust can protect money for the future
If you're thinking about putting money in a trust fund for your children, you probably want to control how you give it to them. For instance, maybe the trust will set it aside for educational costs or maybe it will pay out when they hit a certain age.There are a lot...
Can you put personal property into a trust?
Trusts are often used to hold financial assets. For instance, you may put cash aside so that an heir can use it to pay for college, or you may set up your life insurance policy to pay out into the trust when you pass away.However, it's important to remember that...
If you want to move money around, use a revocable trust
All trusts are not created equal. They all give you different financial options, and they come with their own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your situation.For instance, maybe your goal is to reduce the tax burden on your estate as much as possible. If so,...
A trust helps make an estate plan simple and accurate
Dying without a will means you have no control over your estate, and it has to go through the court process, passing on to your heirs in accordance with state laws. Even with a will, it can take time and money to show that the will is valid and start to move assets...
I’m worried my kids will blow all I leave them. What can I do?
Parents typically love all their children equally, but this doesn't blind them to their weaknesses. When it's time to sit down with your estate planning attorney and devise your estate plan, you need to be fully transparent about your proposed heirs' abilities to...
What are the downsides to an incentive trust?
There are many positive reasons to use an incentive trust. You can encourage your heirs to be successful, for instance, and you can ensure that they only get the money when they are mature and responsible enough to handle it.However, before deciding to use this kind...
Can physical assets go into a trust?
When most people think about the assets in a trust, they consider monetary assets. Trusts can be used to pass money down to heirs while still retaining some control over that money. For instance, the trustee who administers the account could be instructed to pay out a...