Trusts
Found 105 Articles.
Get access to our full article archive by subscribing to Retirement Watch and Retirement Watch Spotlight Series.
Choosing the Right Estate Planning Options: The Marital Deduction, Trusts, and Estate Tax
The foundation of every family estate plan is formed from the same tools and strategies. No matter the size of your estate and how simple or complex it is, you’ll begin by choosing from this basic menu. You don’t want a cookie-cutter estate plan. There are variations of these tools, and many plans need additional […]
Everything You Need To Know About Trust Estate Planning
Trusts are fairly simple. Lawyers and estate planners make them seem more complicated than they are. That’s too bad, because nonlawyers need to understand the different Types of Trusts and how they work to ensure they have effective estate plans. Trusts used to be for only the very wealthy or for special situations. But now […]
Estate Plan Building Blocks: Estate Tax, The Marital Deduction and Trusts
Many people have procrastinated about Estate Planning. They delayed making or updating plans because of uncertainty over the tax law or turmoil in asset values. People naturally procrastinate because estate planning is complicated and full of unfamiliar terms and concepts. Most of you will have or at least consider the same basic tools and strategies […]
How the Turmoil Can Alter Trusts
The financial crisis is causing major changes in the banking business, and that will lead to changes at trust companies and in trustees. Trust creators and beneficiaries need to at least monitor the situation and might need to take action. Many trusts have a corporate trustee or co-trustee, such as a bank or trust company. […]
Unitrusts and Your Estate Plan
Once upon a time all trusts were annuity trusts or income trusts. As the economy and markets changed, these trusts failed to meet their creators’ goals and often caused problems. To solve the problems, the unitrust was created. Like all financial planning solutions, the unitrust is good but not the tool for all situations. Estate […]
Trustee Strategies for the 21st Century
Trusts are part of more and more estate plans. Often trusts are used to hold and manage assets for younger generations. Sometimes the beneficiaries are too young or inexperienced to manage the assets. Other times the older generation is afraid the younger generation might not resist the temptation to spend direct gifts of the property. […]
Housing Slump Can Help Your Estate Planning – The Qualified Personal Resident Trust
A market drop often creates opportunities in Estate Planning. The ongoing decline in housing prices creates such an opportunity. Estate and gift taxes are imposed on the value of property. It follows that a decline in market value means property can be transferred at a lower cost. Those who own estates worth more than $2 […]
Trusts that Save Taxes and Families
The family residence often is one of the most valuable assets in a person’s estate. Despite recent price declines in numerous markets, many people own homes worth far more than they paid for them. The residence often accounts for a significant portion of a person’s net worth. The personal residence can create both estate tax […]
