When you hear the phrase “irrevocable trust,” it sounds final. Many people assume that once a trust is set up, nothing about it can ever change. In reality, while the terms are designed to be permanent, Indiana law provides certain pathways to make modifications. A trustee cannot simply rewrite an irrevocable trust at will, but changes may be possible with beneficiary consent, court approval, decanting statutes, or even with the help of a trust protector. What “Irrevocable” Really … [Read more...] about Can the Trustee Change an Irrevocable Trust?
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Inheritance Planning Missteps: How to Steer Clear of Common Pitfalls
Inheritance planning is a critical task that ensures your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes after your passing. However, it's easy to fall into traps that could complicate or even undermine your intentions. Avoiding these common estate planning pitfalls is key to creating a robust plan for your loved ones. Here are the traps you should be wary of: Procrastinating on Inheritance Planning Delaying estate planning is a common mistake. Many people think they don’t need … [Read more...] about Inheritance Planning Missteps: How to Steer Clear of Common Pitfalls
Navigating Long-Term Care for Seniors: 10 Key Insights
Long-term care for seniors is a crucial aspect of aging, often impacting seniors and their families both emotionally and financially. This blog presents ten important insights about long-term care for seniors, highlighting its necessity, costs, insurance challenges, and strategies for managing long-term care effectively. Long-Term Care Is a Common Need for Seniors The majority of seniors will require some form of long-term care. Aging often brings about changes in health and mobility, making … [Read more...] about Navigating Long-Term Care for Seniors: 10 Key Insights
Can a Person With a Disability Fund a Special Needs Trust?
There is a legal device called a special needs or supplemental needs trust that is used to provide resources for a person with a disability. We will explain the details in this post with an emphasis on the self-settled or first-party trust. Government Benefit Eligibility Obviously, people with disabilities are going to need health insurance. Most Americans get insurance through their employers, and many folks with disabilities are not part of the workforce, so this is not an option. As a … [Read more...] about Can a Person With a Disability Fund a Special Needs Trust?
529 Plans – The “Holy Grail” of Estate Planning
When Estate Planning practitioners talk about the “Holy Grail” of Estate Planning, they generally mean the intentionally defective grantor trust which includes the assets contributed to it in the grantor’s income tax for income purposes but excludes such assets from the grantor’s estate for estate tax purposes. The 529 plan provides yet another example of the “Holy Grail” in Estate planning by allowing tax-free growth, control of the plan until the death of the grantor without estate tax … [Read more...] about 529 Plans – The “Holy Grail” of Estate Planning
Does Medicare Cover Nursing Home Care?
It is important to understand what you can expect from Medicare and Social Security when you are planning for retirement, including the limitations. We look at the details here, and we also provide a solution to a very significant potential challenge. Benefit Eligibility Parameters You become eligible for a full Social Security benefit when you are between 66 and 67 years of age depending on your birth year. There is a retirement benefits brochure on the Social Security Administration website … [Read more...] about Does Medicare Cover Nursing Home Care?
What Is the 2023 Gift Tax Exclusion
You can’t understand the relevance of the gift tax unless you have an understanding of the estate tax, so we will start there. Basic Federal Estate Tax Parameters Wealth preservation is key for high-net-worth individuals, and very successful people have to confront a threat in the form of the federal estate tax. The rate of the estate tax is a whopping 40 percent, so it can significantly erode your legacy. There is a federal estate tax exclusion that represents the amount that can be … [Read more...] about What Is the 2023 Gift Tax Exclusion
Is Your IRA Part of Your Estate Plan?
Your individual retirement account can serve as a nest egg during your senior years, but you may find that you do not need the resources. Under these circumstances, the IRA will be included in your estate plan, so you should understand the rules for beneficiaries. We will provide an overview in this post. Traditional Individual Retirement Accounts If you have a traditional IRA, you direct pre-tax earnings into the account. You get a tax break each year because your taxable income is reduced by … [Read more...] about Is Your IRA Part of Your Estate Plan?
Keep Your Estate Plan Current at All Times
When you put your original estate plan in place, you are going to be reacting to a snapshot of your life at that time. There is no other way to go about it, but you should be aware of the fact that revisions are probably going to be necessary as circumstances change over the years. Family Situation An estate plan for a single person will be simple and straightforward. You want to carry enough life insurance to cover your final expenses, and you should execute a simple will or a living … [Read more...] about Keep Your Estate Plan Current at All Times
Is Joint Tenancy a Good Estate Planning Solution?
It is said that a little bit of information can be a dangerous thing, and this certainly enters the picture when it comes to estate planning. There are those that share bits and pieces of what they think they know, and there may be some truth in the mix. However, an incomplete picture is often painted, and this can yield negative consequences in the long run. Probate Avoidance One of the first things you should understand about estate planning is the fact that a will is not administered … [Read more...] about Is Joint Tenancy a Good Estate Planning Solution?
