When married couples hold community property in a joint revocable living trust, the surviving spouse may receive a full stepped-up basis on the entire property when the first spouse dies, potentially eliminating capital gains tax on appreciated asset

We can work with you, your advisor and your attorney to ensure that your trust reflects your intentions for you and your family. Bank of America has generations of experience serving as a corporate trustee or co-trustee and helping clients protect their assets, preserve their wealth and fulfill their legacy. "Grantors may assume their attorney-in-fact will step in and take care of them if they’re incapacitated," she adds. "To facilitate that possibility, you might want to put that language into the trust when it’s created." Remember, as long as you remain healthy and alive, you can always change any of your trust’s terms, including the trustee succession provisions. You should select the people who, at the present time, are the best choice, even though you expect (and hope) that a successor Trustee will not be necessary for a long time. A good Living Trust will contain provisions that specify who will be your successor Trustee (the person who will manage your property if you are unable to do so). In certain states, group legal plans are provided through insurance coverage underwritten by Metropolitan General Insurance Company, Warwick, RI. This article is intended to provide general information about insurance. If you hire a lawyer to help you set up your trust fund, the cost can vary depending on the specifics of the trust, but a ballpark figure could be $1,500 to $3,00

Every state has different laws around creditor protection, trust formation and Medicaid planning, so guidance from a local professional is essential. If you wait until a lawsuit is filed or a health crisis strikes, your options may be limited. Owning a small business or rental property can expose your personal assets to lawsuits. Asset protection planning is the process of legally structuring your finances to minimize that risk and preserve what matters most. A sudden illness, accident, lawsuit, or long-term care need can threaten everything you’ve worked hard to buil

What is a revocable living trust? One of the most flexible tools available is a revocable living trust. Irrevocable trusts are permanent. By removing assets from your ownership into the trust, you may be able to help protect them from estate tax. Because the trust is still under the grantor's ownership, it can be subject to estate tax. A revocable trust is a living trust that outlines the assets you want to give a beneficiary and how the assets will be distributed. Understanding the difference between a revocable trust and an irrevocable trust can help you create a better, stronger estate plan for your need

It's easy to think that all you need to do is draft a Will dividing your assets and trusting your beneficiaries to keep them in the family. If you're like many of our clients, you hope your assets and accumulated wealth will provide a lasting legacy to your family after you're gone. You have probably spent years building your assets and increasing the size of your estate or business. For example, conveyancing fees will be payable when transferring property into the trust in addition to the costs of setting up the trust. Our experienced team can help advise you on the best solutions to suit your family and financial circumstance

Key similarities and differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts The trustee of a revocable living trust now has similar, optional powers to deal with creditors; however, using these powers may require some additional expense and delay, as in probate. If you establish a trust but fail to transfer your assets to your trustee, it is unlikely that you will avoid probate. In these estate plans, the will ensures that any property not properly placed in your trust before death can be transferred to it after death. What Is a Trust and When Do You Need One for Your Estate Pla

EP Wealth's Regional Director, Lea Ann Knight, CFP®, shares practical steps couples can take now to prepare financially and emotionally for the death... EP Wealth's Regional Director, Ryan Caldwell, CFP®, shares a step-by-step approach to managing finances after the death of a spouse or loved one,... Choosing to explore one should be part of a thoughtful, multi-disciplinary process that accounts for legal, financial, and long-term family considerations. Choosing a trustee can directly affect how the trust is viewed in legal proceedings. Relief from financial waste In an uncertain economic climate, your family’s financial security is subject to more risk. The other day I met with a husband, wife, and their adult son to discuss the parents’ estate plan. You may also visit the individual sites for additional information on their data and privacy practices and opt-out options. We strive to provide you with information about wealth preservation strategies products and services you might find interesting and useful. An asset protection trust is a type of irrevocable trust designed to hold and preserve assets outside of an individual's direct ownership. Don't wait—secure your legacy and your loved ones' future today. We've empowered thousands of North Carolina residents to take complete control of their future with customized estate planning and long-term care planning solutions. Working with an Advisor: A Coordinated Approach In reality, these trusts can be drafted to allow the beneficiary to act as their own trustee once they reach a responsible age. A Lifetime Asset Protection Trust allows parents to dictate multi-generational inheritance instructions, ensuring wealth stays within the family line. Parents can design provisions for special disbursements for important milestones, educational goals, business investments, home purchases or health expenses. The trust creates built-in guardrails by appointing a trustee or co-trustee and outlining responsible distribution standards. Sometimes, adult children are simply not prepared to handle a sudden influx of wealt