Secure Your Legacy: A Comprehensive Guide to Trusts, Wills, and ILTs
If you have any sort of assets to leave behind once you pass away, then safeguarding your legacy is paramount. Making sure that your assets are properly allocated and secure can give you peace of mind and ensure that your legacy will be taken care of long after you’re gone.
Legacy planning can also help ensure that your loved ones and charities of your choice are taken care of financially. Taking the time to plan out your legacy now can save you and your loved ones a lot of stress and heartache in the future.
In this article, we’ll discuss what you need to know about trusts, ILTs, and wills.
Trusts
Trusts are a great way to manage how you leave assets to your family. They provide flexibility and control by allowing you to determine how, when, and to whom your assets will be distributed after you are gone. You can use trusts to provide ongoing financial security for your heirs, as well as manage assets such as life insurance proceeds, retirement accounts, investments, and more. Trusts also ensure that your estate is managed according to your wishes and that your family is taken care of no matter what.
There are many different types of trusts that can benefit you and your family. Revocable living trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, charitable trusts, special needs trusts, and more can all be used to meet your estate planning goals. Each type of trust offers various benefits, such as protection from creditors and tax efficiencies, as well as control over how and when assets are distributed. Ultimately, the type of trust you choose will depend on your individual needs and goals.
ILTs
An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) allows you to control the distributions of your life insurance for the benefit of others. These trusts are set up so that they cannot be amended, changed, or revoked. It is designed to provide tax efficiencies and can be used to distribute assets to your heirs without going through probate. The ILIT also allows you to assign a trustee to manage the trust and ensures that the life insurance proceeds are distributed according to your wishes.
Wills
A will is an important document for any person looking to provide a financial roadmap for their family. It allows you to make sure that your wishes are followed in the event of your death, including who will receive what assets and in what manner. A will also allows you to appoint an executor to manage your estate and distribute your assets according to your wishes. This allows your loved ones to have peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be carried out even after your death.
Avoid Probate By Creating a Living Trust
Probate can be a long and drawn-out process, delaying the distribution of assets to your heirs. To avoid probate, consider creating a living trust, which will keep your assets secure and ensure that your loved ones are taken care of.
Additionally, life insurance can be included in your estate when it exceeds certain thresholds, so having your policies owned by an irrevocable life insurance trust is essential.
When it comes to estate planning, consider setting up trusts and other legal documents that are important to ensure you have a lasting legacy. In order to determine your needs and ensure a smooth transfer of your estate to the following generation, the consultants at CPR Investments will collaborate with your tax or legal advisor. Book a consultation with us today!