Trusts are a way to protect assets from probate and may be used in estate planning. A common type of trust is a living trust, where assets are legally protected while the owners are alive. Assets may be put in a trust for a child who can access them only after reaching a certain age. Trusts may be revocable or irrevocable.
New Website For Helpful Elder Law Advice
I've discovered a great new website with updated information on issues relating to elder law, such as wills, trusts, power of attorney for health care...
MyStateWill.com
I'm often asked who gets what if someone dies "intestate," that is, without a will. If you die without a will, a judge in probate court will decide wh...
Living Trust May Help With Inheritance
A living trust many be the best way to pass on property that you have inherited. If you don't have a trust or will documenting how you want things passed on, the laws of your state will prevail.
Structuring Your Inheritance To Avoid Conflict
Designating children as beneficiaries to brokerage and bank accounts can lead to difficulties. Minor children can't inherit cash. You need to have the cash and financial assets in a trust with a trustee (and backup trustee) named until they become of legal age, or until you feel they are old enough to manage these resources appropriately. Leaving real estate to children can be tricky. It's expensive to own and maintain -- and they may not have enough income to keep the property going and they may not be living anywhere near the actual property.
And You Think You’re Having a Bad Day
Carol called the show today to ask my advice about cash from a 401(k) that she would be receiving in her divorce settlement. As the conversation progr...
Paying Expenses After A Spouse’s Death
When your spouse dies with credit card debt, is it your responsibility to pay it off? It depends on whether the person who died had an estate with money to pay off the credit cards. If the deceased did not have an estate to pay off the debt it may fall to the spouse, depending on whose name was on the credit cards.
Estate Planning Can Prevent Future Confusion
When you lose your spouse and your spouse did not have a will it may make transferring assets such as a home confusing. Estates without a will have to go through probate, which can take some time. Learn how to clear up the ownership of a home and provide your children with clear legal ownership if something should happen to you.
Revocable Trust And Title Insurance
When you put a property in a revocable trust, you also need to be sure the title insurance policy coverage is changed. Title insurance assures the lender that you own the home free and clear, with no liens on it. When a home buyer sells the property, the subsequent buyer should buy his or her own title insurance.
Estate Planning Helps With Real Estate Decisions
When your family owns several real estate investments, it's important to do thorough estate planning so that the wishes of those who own the properties are met. How can you balance a property that needs repairs with ensuring an elderly relative's medical costs are still met? An estate planner can help decipher the tax laws and help make good decisions for the property owner and the children who stand to inherit the home.
Real Estate Investment Business: Risks And Rewards
Should you get involved with a real estate investor you've met over the internet? Ilyce shares some words of caution and suggests a safe next step for getting into the real estate investment business. One of the most important things to do is check out a person you're interested in investing into real estate with, and get a good real estate attorney.