Setting Up Inheritance for Your Heirs

If you were to imagine someone establishing a trust, you may picture an individual leaving their hilltop mansion and being driven by their chauffeur to stately law offices visited only by the rich and famous. In reality, a trust can be used by just about anyone to meet a variety of estate planning needs. One of the most common uses is controlling how an heir or heirs will receive their inheritance.

Trust basics

The person who establishes the trust is the settlor. The settlor appoints someone to manage the trust, called the trustee. This could be a friend, family member, professional or trust company. The beneficiary is the person who will ultimately receive income or capital according to the terms of the trust.

There are two basic types of trusts. An inter vivos trust, or living trust, takes effect during the settlor’s lifetime. A testamentary trust comes into effect upon the settlor’s passing. The following applications all use a testamentary trust.

Beneficiaries lacking financial expertise

It’s an uneasy feeling to leave a large lump sum of hard-earned money in a will to someone you suspect will spend it quickly and unwisely. A trust allows you to give explicit instructions to the trustee to control the inheritance, including the distribution amounts and frequency.

A beneficiary may be trustworthy but require guidance in managing investments. By choosing a trustee with investment acumen, you can feel comfortable knowing the inheritance will be properly managed to meet income and growth needs.

Parent in a second marriage

If someone is in a second marriage and has children from their first marriage, estate planning can be a little different. Say the individual wants to provide for their current spouse but also wishes to leave an inheritance for the children from their first marriage. Several solutions are available, and one uses a spousal trust. The spouse would receive income from the trust, and possibly some capital, during their lifetime. When the spouse passes away, the trust assets would go to the children.

Caring for a child with special needs

Establishing a trust for a minor or adult child with special needs can help you be confident they’ll always be cared for in the best manner. A tax professional can advise you on how a trust can be set up without affecting government benefits.

A trust for minors

If you have beneficiaries who haven’t reached the age of majority, you can direct their inheritance to a trust. The trustee can manage the funds until each beneficiary reaches the age that you determine. At that point, a beneficiary can either receive a lump sum or periodic distributions according to the terms you establish.

Fulfill your personal preference

Trusts can be flexible. The terms and conditions you put in a trust are almost limitless and may primarily reflect your personal wishes. For example, a beneficiary may be financially reliable, but you might have their inheritance distributed periodically because you don’t want to chance a lump sum inheritance disrupting their work ethic. Or perhaps a settlor will make college or university graduation a condition of receiving their inheritance. A trust gives you the ability to help ensure the inheritance enhances a beneficiary’s life, rather than drastically changing it.

If you would like more information about trusts, contact us or talk with your lawyer or tax professional.