You have several different options when it comes to creating the right estate plan. Some people believe that a revocable living trust is the best way to go, while others think that a last will and testament (commonly known as a will) is best under certain circumstances. Others may find that a combination of both—through the use of a testamentary trust—provides the right amount of control and protection for themselves and their loved ones.
A Testamentary Trust Can Provide a Solution
A testamentary trust will own accounts and property owned by you in your sole name without beneficiary designations, upon your death and enables you to instruct how your money and property will be handled in advance. Unlike a revocable living trust, the testamentary trust is created at your death, and ownership of your accounts and property are transferred to the trust through the probate process.
You Can Protect Your Loved Ones
Depending on your circumstances, your loved ones may need the extra protection that a testamentary trust can provide.
- Minor child. If money and property are left to an individual who is under the age of 18, the court will need to appoint someone to manage the inheritance and make sure that it is used appropriately. A testamentary trust allows you to select the person to manage the inheritance and provide specific instructions about how the money and property should be used and until what age.
- Special needs individual. If you have a loved one who is currently receiving or may need to avail themselves of certain government benefits due to a disability, a poorly structured inheritance can jeopardize their ability to qualify or keep those government benefits that they need to survive. A properly structured testamentary trust can provide funds to your loved one to supplement what they are receiving from the government without disqualifying them from government assistance.
Your Loved Ones Will Still Have to Go Through Probate
Although you are using a trust to manage and distribute money and property to your loved ones, the probate court will still be involved. As opposed to a revocable living trust that is created during your lifetime, a testamentary trust comes into existence at your death during the probate process. The person you name as the personal representative will oversee changing the ownership of your accounts and property from you as an individual to the trustee of the testamentary trust. Once ownership of accounts and property has been changed, the trustee will manage the trust according to the instructions in the will for the trust’s duration. When all of the accounts and property have been given to the intended beneficiaries, the trust terminates. During the administration, the trustee may be required to provide annual reports to the court and other important parties and may have to periodically appear before the judge.
Although the probate process can be time-consuming, expensive, and public, it may be the right option in some circumstances. Some people find that it provides stability and harmony by allowing a third party (the probate court) to oversee the process. This can help families who may otherwise argue over the details to remain cordial and on their best behavior.
Do Not Forget Other Important Documents
Even if you choose to include a testamentary trust as part of your will, there are other important estate planning tools you must have to properly protect yourself and your loved ones. Because a will only covers what happens to your money and property when you pass away, we must also plan for a situation in which you are alive but unable to make your own decisions, which is known as incapacity.
Financial Power of Attorney
A financial power of attorney allows you to choose a trusted person (the agent) to handle your personal financial matters without court involvement. Typically, the amount of authority your agent has is rather broad and enables the agent to act immediately once you have signed the document.
Medical Power of Attorney
A medical power of attorney allows you to appoint a trusted person as a decision-maker to communicate on your behalf or make healthcare decisions for you without court involvement.
Living Will
A living will allows you to convey your wishes regarding end-of-life decisions, such as how long to continue artificial hydration and nutrition or how long to continue artificial respiration when you are in a persistent vegetative state or have a terminal condition and with no chance of recovery. This document will help the decision-maker under your medical power of attorney make informed choices for your care.
HIPAA Authorization
A Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) authorization form allows you to grant specific individuals access to your confidential and protected information (e.g., to get a status update on your condition or receive your test results) without giving those individuals the authority to make decisions on your behalf. Providing this information to your loved ones can help all parties stay on the same page even if only one person is authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Temporary Guardianship
Wisconsin allows for a separate document in which to name a person to make decisions for your minor child when you are unable, such as if you are incapacitated or traveling without your child and need to give someone authority to make decisions for your child in your absence. It is important to note that this document is only effective for a short period (180 days but may be extended for good cause), and a temporary guardian cannot agree to certain actions, such as the child’s adoption or marriage.
Let’s Choose the Right Option for You and Your Loved Ones
There are many different options when it comes to crafting a plan that is right for you. We are committed to developing a plan that protects you, your loved ones, and your legacy. If you are interested in learning more about testamentary trusts or reviewing your existing estate plan, please give us a call.
Posted in: Estate Planning, Family Planning