stub
HomeEstate PlanningMoney Can do Good Things Money Can do Bad Things

Money Can do Good Things Money Can do Bad Things

Trust

I was reading the January/February 2011 issue of Money Magazine when I came across the “Readers to the Rescue Section.”  This particular issue’s question was “Is it okay to stipulate in a  will how inherited funds may be spend?”  First, thing is first, someone’s will is based on the eventual decedent’s testamentary intent, and if you don’t like the restrictions then you can disclaim or renounce the bequest.  Notwithstanding how irrelevant a future beneficiaries opinion is, I think the majority of the people answered the question incorrectly meaning they didn’t understand the question.

My two favorite responses which were on the opposite ends of the spectrum were,

    • No. A will is an instrument to give to those still here after you pass. A gift with stipulations isn’t much of a gift.
    • Yes, you can make any restrictive stipulations you desire in a will.  If the beneficiaries don’t like it, they can demonstrate their dislike by declining the bequest.

I think Money Magazine was really asking whether the reader supports the use of trusts in estate planning, and in most cases, testamentary (i.e. a trust created at death) should be used.

A Testamentary Trust Can Protect Beneficiaries

Every time I sit down with a client and start talking about their will or estate plan this topic comes up because they know their expected beneficiary. Money is a tool and when used  the right way generations of your family can thrive, however, it is just as easy to ruin a life or lives.  Do you have any idea what 21 year old Evan would have done had he inherited any amount of money?  I can almost say with certainty that my life would be worse if I had.

When used properly a testamentary trust can protect your family in many ways.

Spendthrift Protection

A spendthrift is,

A person who by excessive drinking, gaming, idleness or debauchery of any kind, shall so spend, waste, or lessen his estate as to expose himself or his family to want or suffering, or expose the town to charge or expense, for support of himself or family.

I will tell you right up front that 21 year old Evan was a spendthrift hitting almost each one of those activities/vices.  But so are most 21 year olds and that is why almost every testamentary trust has an age which assets are protected until.

For example many wills read that at X age the beneficiary gets 33%, at Y age the beneficiary gets 50% and at Z age they receive the remainder (Z will often be the age at which the parent assumes that the child will have reached majority – sometimes a poorly chosen age OR one that seemed so far away when the will was written).

Protection from a Divorce

Regardless of what statistic you want to put faith in, a lot of people get divorced and depending on the State you live in inheritance may or may not be considered separate property and thus subject to equitable distribution (i.e. splitting up the assets) at the time of divorce.  Even in those cases where inheritance is deemed separate property it can undergo “transmutation” and turn into marital property when it is commingled with marital assets.

Do you want your assets to go to now your ex-son in law or daughter in law?  I don’t care how much you love them the answer is invariably no.  A testamentary trust may prevent that from happening.

Protection for a Bankruptcy

Even if your heir is not a spendthrift and they have a 30 year marriage ahead of them could they make a business misstep?  Of course they can.  Assets held in a properly drafted, funded and operated testamentary trust are likely not to be included as part of the bankruptcy estate for creditor repayment purposes.  If the trust forces income to beneficiary that might be attacked by the Bankruptcy Court, but the corpus/principal will be left in tact.

Money Can do Good Things Money Can do Bad

As I get older I notice that all those things my parents did to protect me were actually very good calls despite how much I fought them about it when I was younger, and if you are lucky enough to be named as a beneficiary with restrictions such as a testamentary trust then there probably is a good reason such as one of the ones I named above.

There is a reason why you hear about trust fund babies…because they have money still because a fiduciary protected the principal from invasion by an idiot 21 year old.

What do you think…should trusts be built into most Last Will and Testaments?

RELATED ARTICLES

10 COMMENTS

  1. What a great article. I think you wrote this in a very easy to understand manner.

    Unfortunately, there are some people who never hit an age where they are responsible with money. I wonder what you do then, a yearly stipend? Then, they’d probably just call one of those cash now places.

    • If a parent (in most cases) feels that kid is never going to “grow up” then what you do is have the trust never automatically distribute principal. Rather it is up to Trustee and only the trustee to determine what assets are coming out of the box.

  2. I think that trusts are great tools for the right people (obviously not for everyone). I’ve seen too many families and people torn apart because of money, more specifically a large sum of inherited money. Creating an income stream through a trust (or charitable trust if you’re wanting a nice tax break) can really be a great way to leave your assets.

  3. Good points! As an older person, I believe anything I leave for my children or their children should be stipulated because it is my gift. I have a right to say how and when it can be spent. If they were minors, I leave it in trust until they reached a certain age. I might stipulate it should be used for education. After all, it is my gift!

  4. Thanks for this post. I never knew what trust really mean until now. I don’t expect any money from my parent though so no big deal for me. If we have any money left when we go, we would definitely consider a trust.

  5. I agree with “First Gen”, very well written article that’s easy and fun to follow!

    I do think that it’s a good idea to use trusts in wills. While I’ve always had an eye on finances, I know plenty of friends that would spent a large inheritance in a year or two…

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

Recent Comments