By Dale Gribow
A living trust is a legal document that, just like a will, contains your instruction for what you want to happen to your assets when you die. However, unlike a will, a living trust avoids probate when you die. It can control all your assets and prevent the court from controlling your assets if you become incapacitated.
A Living Trust avoids probate and prevents court control of assets at incapacity. This is because when you set up a living trust, you transfer (at that time) the assets from your name to the name of YOUR TRUST, which of course you control….For instance Gerald and Betty Ford, husband and wife to Dick and Jan Oliphant, trustees under trust dated September 2, 2015 (our anniversary).
Legally you are no longer the owner of anything but do not panic because everything now belongs to YOUR trust. Thus there is nothing for the courts to control when you die or become incapacitated. This is an easy concept that keeps you and your family out of court.
You do not lose control of your assets as you keep full control. As the trustee of your trust, you can do anything you could do before such as buying/selling assets, changing or even cancelling your trust etc. That is why it is called a REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST. YOU CAN REVOKE IT DURING YOUR LIFETIME.
In addition you even file the same tax returns. Nothing changes but the names on the titles!!!
All this takes less time than you would think…but it is the type of thing you can do now or have the courts do at your death. The old adage I quote kicks in yet again….People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan. So look into this NOW.
Some clients ask whether joint ownership can avoid probate too? Unfortunately that is usually not the case. Using joint ownership usually just postpones probate. With most jointly owned assets, when one owner dies, full ownership does transfer to the surviving owner without probate. But if the owner dies without adding a new joint owner, or if both owners die at the same time, the asset must be probated before it can go to the heirs.
Some clients consider using a corporate trustee. Though you can decide to be the trustee of your trust, some people select a corporate trustee which is often a bank or trust company to act as trustee or co- trustee now. This is often because you do not have the time, ability or desire to manage you own trust. This is also true if one spouse is ill. The corporate trustees are experienced investment managers and they are objective and reliable. Surprisingly their fees are usually very reasonable.
A Durable Power of Attorney lets you name someone to manage your financial affairs if you are unable to do so. However, many financial institutions will not honor one unless it is on THEIR OWN FORM. Sometimes it works too well by giving someone a blank check to do whatever they want with your assets when that was not your intent. It can however, be very effective when used in concert with a Living Trust. Of course, it can be risky when used alone.
The LIVING TRUST HAS THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:
- It avoids probate at death, including multiple probate if you own property in other states too.
- It prevents court control of your assets at the time of your incapacity.
- It brings all your assets together under one plan.
- It provides maximum privacy.
- It creates a quicker distribution of assets to beneficiaries.
- Your assets can remain in trust until you want to beneficiaries to inherit.
- It can reduce or eliminate estate taxes.
- It is inexpensive, easy to set up and maintain.
- It can be changed or cancelled at any time
- It is difficult TO CONTEST.
- It prevents court control of minor’s inheritances.
- It can protect dependents with special needs.
- It prevents unintentional disinheritance and other problems of joint ownership.
- It provides professional management with the corporate trustee.
- It gives you PEACE OF MIND.
Clearly this is a confusing decision for the average lay person so do yourself a favor and call a lawyer now for an explanation. Do wait for the courts to make that decision for you.
If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow at 760-837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com.
Remember unless you want your estate plan to kick in right away… when you drink don’t get behind the wheel and get in an auto accident (whether it is your fault or not) or get arrested for a DUI…I don’t need the extra business….and you do not want your estate planning to take affect TO SOON.
DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI OR UBER………IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME
DALE GRIBOW
Selected ”TOP LAWYER” – Palm Springs Life 2011-2016
Perfect AVVO 10.0 Peer Review Rating
“Preeminent” Rating by Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory
Selected for Rue “Best Attorneys of America” (Limited to Top 100 Attorneys per state)
2015 Client Appreciation Award & 2015Martindale Hubbell Client Distinction Award
For more than 30 years Gribow has been committed to protecting client’s civil and criminal constitutional rights. Regardless of whether the matter concerns a Serious Accident, DUI, Business, Real Estate or Estate Planning issue, every case is diligently handled with the utmost of respect and care. Gribow offers clients decades of experience and success, thus making him the attorney of choice for thousands of clients.
