Paul O. Dillon, Attorney at Law

Is Having a Will Important?

A last will and testament is a legal document outlining your wishes for the distribution of your property, the care of any dependent minor children and the declaration of who you want to be your executor. As explained in a recent article, “Do I Need a Will?” from mondaq, your will is a powerful tool giving you control over your estate and protecting your final wishes.

All wills become a matter of public record after they are filed with the court in the probate process. This is when the court determines if the will is valid, i.e., meets the requirements of the law in your state and if the executor, the person who you named to be in charge of distributing your assets and managing your estate after you die, is acceptable to the court.

There are many advantages to having a will, not the least of which is the peace of mind of knowing your wishes have been expressed, documented and will be carried out. Without a will, your estate is going to be divided according to your state’s laws. You or your family members may not like how the state does this. However, there won’t be much they can do about it.

Parents of young children or children with special needs must have a will to name a guardian for their offspring. Without a will, the court will decide who will raise your children and where they will live.

Having a comprehensive estate plan helps prevent family conflicts. Your clear instructions should leave no doubt about your intentions. Families in the middle of grieving the loss of a loved one are often susceptible to fighting when they otherwise would be able to work out issues without drama.

Having a will also allows you to create a legacy by giving assets to a charity you care about. Your estate planning attorney can help you with a number of gifting strategies to make donations over time, minimize tax liabilities and provide heirs with income streams.

The first step in creating a will is identifying an experienced estate planning attorney you feel comfortable with. The next step is to create an inventory of your assets, including everything from bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement funds, personal items and real estate property.

Some assets don’t pass through a will. Accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs usually have beneficiary designations and pass directly to the person or people named by you when you opened the account. Make sure that these designations are still correct so the right people receive these assets.

Depending on your income and asset level, estate planning has many tax implications. You’ll want to take advantage of any tax-saving opportunities.

Once you’ve reviewed these materials, your estate planning attorney will create the documents. The will needs to be put in writing, signed and witnessed. You may need one or two witnesses, depending on where you live. Remember that your will needs to be updated to keep pace with changes in your life and the law.

Having a will created by an experienced estate planning attorney will help you avoid common mistakes, understand complex concepts and create a plan for the future for you and your family.

Reference: mondaq (Dec. 19, 2024) “Do I Need a Will?”

Smart Estate Planning In 13 Steps

People never understand how expensive it is not to do any estate planning, explains an article from Kiplinger, “13 Smart Estate Planning Moves.” Consider these steps for your estate planning checklist:

The SECURE Act changed distribution rules for non-spouse beneficiaries. The ten-year rule requires most beneficiaries to empty the account within ten years of the original owner’s death. It may be time to rethink how your IRA is invested.

Consider a Roth IRA conversion. This allows heirs to receive distributions tax-free. Consider converting annual distributions instead of moving an entire IRA into a Roth.

Use the annual gift tax exclusion, which is $18,000 in 2024. You can give as many people as you want up to $18,000 without incurring gift taxes. A related choice: superfund a 529 college savings plan, putting five years of gifting into one year—up to $90,000 all at once. Check with your estate planning attorney to see how this could impact your estate plan.

Use up your lifetime gift exemption early. This is especially useful if you believe the gift and estate tax limits will be lowered when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expires.

Pay medical or tuition costs directly to the school or healthcare provider as long as checks are written directly to the institution; paying medical bills or tuition doesn’t count towards the annual exclusion or estate tax exemption.

Talk with your estate planning attorney about a Spousal Lifetime Access Trust. This is an irrevocable trust for a spouse, with each spouse opening one for another. The trusts must be different to avoid drawing the IRS's attention.

Find out whether carrying forward any remaining estate tax exemptions unused by a deceased spouse is right for you. If you have appreciated assets, a bypass trust might be better.

Protect yourself and your estate from creditors and litigation with a domestic asset trust. This irrevocable, self-settled trust is available in twenty states. The person funding the trust can be the grantor.

Explore the use of revocable trusts. Some may not help with avoiding probate or trimming taxes but may work well for managing assets as you age or if you have health problems and expect someone to help manage your finances.

Make a plan for Medicaid and Special Needs family members. The massive cost of nursing home care makes this a necessity. Discuss the creation of a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust with your estate planning attorney.

Simplify your investment life. If you have investments in multiple accounts and different bank accounts, your executor will have more work to do.

Consider whether or not your estate should be managed by a professional, especially if you have a particularly argumentative or litigious family.

Finally, don’t delay having your estate plan created or updated. We all think we have plenty of time until we don’t. Meet with an estate planning attorney to update or create a new plan.

Reference: Kiplinger (May 9, 2024) “13 Smart Estate Planning Moves”

Is It Important to have a Will?

The biggest mistake people make in estate planning is not having a will. Many think that if they don’t have a will, their children or spouses will automatically inherit everything, and their families will know what to do. This simply isn’t true.

A recent article, “5 reasons why having a will is important for you and your loved ones” from Microsoft Start, says depending upon where you live, if you die without a will, your estate will be distributed according to the laws of your state. It won’t matter what you might have wanted to happen or what your spouse or family thinks should happen. And there won’t be any recourse for your spouse or your children.

Part of your assets to be included in your will are known as “digital assets.” The digital content now being included routinely in estate plans includes blog posts, social media, and email accounts, followed by passwords. Other digital assets include cryptocurrencies, NFTs (nonfungible tokens) and online businesses.

The laws of every state are different, and there are jurisdictions within every state. The laws of intestacy are different in each one. Your entire estate might not go to your spouse but be divided between your spouse and your children. If you’ve remarried and your state’s laws give everything to the spouse, your biological children might be disinherited.

If you have relationships outside of marriage or kinship (also known as “bloodlines”), your state’s laws probably don’t recognize those relationships, no matter how lasting they may be. A close friend, family caregiver, or live-in partner may find themselves left out of your inheritance, even if you’ve told them you’ll take care of them.

There are many instances of live-in partners being evicted from homes when family members inherit real estate property and the partners are not co-owners. This is a dramatic example, but it is all too common.

Parents need a will to designate a legal guardian for minor children. The will is used to name who you want to raise your children and look after them financially. Part of your estate planning should include financial planning in the event of something happening where your children will need to be raised by others. You can set up a trust with trustees in charge of funds for the children’s upbringing. I

If the family includes a special needs individual, the estate plan should include a Special Needs Trust to protect their loved one. An SNT allows monies to be set aside for their benefit without placing their government benefits at risk.

An estate planning attorney can help you clarify your wishes and document them in your will. They’ll also help prepare documents like Power of Attorney, Living Will, Healthcare Directives, and others needed to protect you while you are living.

Reference: Microsoft Start (May 2024) “5 reasons why having a will is important for you and your loved ones”

Can You Support a Child with Special Needs?

Families that include individuals with special needs require planning to secure their loved ones' security in the future, both in legal and financial terms. There’s usually no expectation of the child becoming an independent adult, so careful planning is needed, as advised in the recent article “Financial Planning for Families with Disabilities” from Wealth Management.

Many families neglect planning for their retirement, focusing all their resources on developing a plan for their disabled child. However, retirement and their child’s future need to be secured, which is where an estate planning attorney can help.

In 2014, Congress created The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts to allow disabled individuals to own accounts with up to $100,000 without the assets being counted against their eligibility for Supplemental Security Income. A parent may make annual contributions, and costs not covered by government benefits can be paid using this account.

A Pooled Special Needs Trust is a group of several Special Needs Trusts managed by a nonprofit, which, as its name implies, pools the assets of many Special Needs individuals together. Each account remains separate, and the trust provides management and investment services.

Unlike a typical SNT, people over 65 may participate in a pooled SNT. Medicaid and SSI beneficiaries wishing to spend down their assets to become eligible can transfer assets directly into a pooled trust account. Consult with an estate planning attorney to ensure that this occurs correctly.

The most significant responsibility for parents planning for their disabled child is to ensure that no one mistakenly puts their child’s eligibility at risk for Medicaid and SSI. A well-meaning family member leaving assets to the child could undo plans, so they must be informed of the necessary restrictions.

Medicaid does far more than provide health care benefits. It funds social and occupational programming, residences for group living and many other benefits of great value to the disabled individual. The eligibility rules are complex and require the help of a skilled estate planning attorney to navigate successfully.

Reference: Wealth Management (March 1, 2024) “Financial Planning for Families with Disabilities”

Should You Talk with Loved Ones about Your Estate Plan?

We think of family time as gatherings for holidays and celebrating joyful occasions. However, there are times when the business side of life needs to be addressed. The best time to share your estate plan information with the family is when you are well, mentally and physically, says the article “Financial Focus: Consider family meeting to discuss estate plans” from Vail Daily.

What should your conversation include?

What are your wishes for your estate plan? Do you hope to leave an inheritance for family members, support a family member in need, or create a legacy with a charitable organization? The family meeting is the time to clarify your thoughts with loved ones, especially if there are concerns within the family, such as a special needs member or economic disparities between siblings.

Be prepared for surprises. Your millennial children may be more concerned about you having a secure retirement than an inheritance.

If you have your estate planning documents in order, this is a time to discuss them. If you do not, make an appointment to meet with an experienced estate planning attorney to create a comprehensive plan. Your documents may include a will, a trust, financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney and end-of-life documents. Give your family members a general idea of your wishes, especially for end-of-life matters. This relieves them from having to guess what you would have wanted in times of incapacity or upon your death.

Talk about the roles you wish them to play. You will need to name an executor to administer your estate. They should be asked to take on this role before the time comes. You will also need a trustee and a successor trustee for any trusts. Choosing the right person for these roles involves acknowledging who is more capable—just because one sibling is older does not mean they are the best candidate to serve as executor.

For some families, the best setting for a family meeting is their estate planning attorney’s office. It is a neutral setting and people are less likely to fall into old behavior patterns (including spats) when they are in a professional office.

Let the family know this is not the final discussion about your estate plan. Encourage questions and, if necessary, offer to meet again. If the initial groundwork is set, you will have begun establishing a legacy for yourself and your family.

Reference: Vail Daily (Jan. 25, 2024) “Financial Focus: Consider family meeting to discuss estate plans”

Should You Have a Revocable Trust?

Trusts are part of many estate plans and with good reason. Trusts are an excellent way to minimize or avoid having an estate go through probate, according to a recent article, “Is your trust revocable? Should it be?” from Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls Press.

Let’s start with the basics. A trust is a contract between the creator of the trust, known as the “grantor,” “trustor,” or “settlor,” and the person who will carry out the instructions within the trust document, known as the “trustee.” Those instructions include what to do or not to do with the assets in the trust if the grantor becomes incapacitated and what to do with the assets when the grantor is deceased.

Once you’ve decided to set up a trust, you’ll become the trust's grantor and, in most cases, will serve as your own trustee. The trust must include language naming secondary and, in some cases, tertiary trustees who will serve if you are incapacitated or upon your death. The trustee who steps up to serve once you cannot serve as your own trustee is known as the “successor trustee” although the term “successor” isn’t always used.

In a revocable trust, the grantor almost always has the right to change the trust document if they are living and not incapacitated. They can change who will get what from the trust upon their death, who will serve as the secondary trustee and what powers the secondary trustee will have. This flexibility is very useful as life circumstances and relationships change over time. As the name implies, the revocable trust can also be revoked altogether.

An irrevocable trust is very different. Once an irrevocable trust is established, the trust cannot be revoked, and no changes can be made. There are exceptions. However, none of them make it easy to make changes to the trust. The grantor usually must go to court to get permission to make changes.

Why would someone choose an irrevocable trust over a revocable trust? There are instances where an irrevocable trust makes more sense. Some examples include trusts designed to protect assets that would otherwise make someone ineligible for certain programs, like Medicaid. An estate planning attorney would create an irrevocable trust to establish a Special Needs or Supplemental Needs Trust for beneficiaries with disabilities.

It is also possible to have trusts created for married couples with children from prior relationships to protect the children from being disinherited.

Revocable trusts usually become irrevocable once the trust's grantor dies. This makes sense, since the grantor doesn’t want anyone to change the trust once they have passed.

There’s much to consider when setting up a trust, which is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. Talk with your estate planning attorney to discuss your unique situation and learn what type of trust would best protect yourself, your estate and your family.

Reference: Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls Press (Dec. 3, 2023) “Is your trust revocable? Should it be?”

How Do Special Needs Trusts Work?

Preparing an intentional plan for beneficiaries is essential for several reasons. First, careful planning protects vulnerable beneficiaries from people who may try to take advantage of them when they receive an inheritance, according to the article “Be proactive if considering special needs” from The News-Enterprise.

Second, planning is almost always necessary to protect government benefits the beneficiary is receiving, which could be at risk if they receive an inheritance. Third, proactive special needs planning is needed to make decisions in advance about living situations, guardians if required and who will control the beneficiary’s assets.

The two most common types of Special Needs Trusts are the First Party and Third Party trusts.

First-Party Special Needs Trusts are used when the recipient of public benefits receives money that would make them ineligible for public benefits. This usually occurs because of a legal settlement or an inheritance.

This type of trust is funded with assets in the beneficiary’s own name, and the requirements are strict. The trust must be irrevocable, funded entirely with the beneficiary’s own assets. It must be set up by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian, or the court, except for some physically disabled beneficiaries.

There is an age limit for First Party Special Needs Trusts. The beneficiary must be under 65 when the trust is established, and the trust must include a provision that the state will be repaid first for money paid out on behalf of the beneficiary.

This provision allows the trust assets to be stretched to supplement the beneficiary's needs without losing public benefits. Whatever assets are left in the trust may end up with the state on the beneficiary's death.

The First Party trust is a good emergency plan. However, it’s not a great primary planning instrument for every Special Needs family.

Third-Party Special Needs Trusts are created proactively, allowing for greater flexibility and asset protection. They can be revocable or irrevocable, act as a standalone trust, or be part of a last will and testament and do not need to contain a payback provision to the state.

Another option for giving assets to beneficiaries is an ABLE account, similar to college savings accounts but designed for Special Needs individuals. They allow for simplified spending categorization and, in some states, offer a debit card the beneficiary can use, which allows limited spending.

There are limits to how much can be deposited into an ABLE account, and there is a payback provision to the state upon the account owner's death.

An experienced estate planning attorney can help create an intentional and proactive plan to ensure the best result for beneficiaries and their families.

Reference: The News-Enterprise (Oct. 14, 2023) “Be proactive if considering special needs”

Everyone Needs an Estate Plan

A comprehensive estate plan offers many benefits, from protecting surviving spouses, ensuring one’s wishes for medical care are followed, or reducing estate taxes. While the primary focus of an estate plan is different for every individual, reports the article “A good estate plan important” from The Record-Courier, there are common benefits for everyone concerned.

A good estate plan protects individuals and families before death by protecting assets for the use of an incapacitated person by placing them in a trust managed by a responsible trustee. An estate plan allows you to designate an agent to make health and financial decisions during incapacity. It will enable you to develop a retirement strategy by assessing and organizing your assets and financial needs.

With an estate plan in place, a deceased person’s family is spared the burden of making difficult decisions, including when or if to withhold life support treatment or how to handle a loved one’s remains. These decisions can be made in advance through the estate plan, so the family knows their loved one’s wishes, making a difficult time a little less stressful.

Clearly and transparently expressing goals and wishes for the final distribution of one’s estate removes the emotions and potential conflict associated all too often with the division of money and other assets, including personal effects.

An organized and funded estate plan ensures that the family is protected. If the right steps are taken, there will be enough money to pay bills and other living expenses, financial affairs will be organized, and accounts will be accessible to loved ones immediately without waiting for probate and the court’s permission. Guardians for minor children are appointed, and uncertainty needs not make their grief and trauma worse. Special needs children and adults are protected with a trust to supplement their needs in addition to government benefits, and the education of young adults is planned for with a college fund.

A comprehensive estate plan prepared in tandem with a business succession plan is crucial for business owners. Without a succession plan and estate plan, the business can fall apart after the departure or demise of the business owners. An estate plan can provide the rules and instructions for the business to transition to a new owner and ensure continuity.

A good estate plan also addresses tax planning. There are more than a few tax reduction strategies to minimize the taxes on a decedent’s estate, making more money available to the surviving family.

For philanthropically minded people, the estate planning process can also support charitable causes, creating a legacy and inspiring other family members to think beyond their own needs and wants to serve their communities.

It’s never too early to begin preparing an estate plan—life is unpredictable, and there’s no downside to being ready for whatever may come next.

Reference: The Record-Courier (Aug. 27, 2023) “A good estate plan important”

What Is a ‘Residuary’ Estate?

This is also known as estate residue or residual estate. It simply means the assets left over after a will has been read, assets have been distributed to heirs and any final expenses have been paid. An estate planning attorney can help avoid leaving residual assets behind, with a comprehensive estate plan, reports a recent article titled “How to Write a Residuary Estate Clause in a Will” from yahoo!

A will is a legal document used to name guardians for minor children and providing directions for how you want assets to be distributed when you pass. Any assets not included in your will or distributed through a trust automatically become part of the residuary estate on your death.

This can happen deliberately or unintentionally. For example, your will can state your wishes to have certain assets left to certain people. However, your will could also include a residual estate clause explaining what should happen to any assets not already named in the will. In this case, you’re intentionally creating a residual estate, and planning for it at the time of the will’s creation.

Some residual estates are created without advance planning. Here’s how that happens:

• If you forget to include assets in your will.
• If you acquired new assets after drafting a will and do not add a codicil making provision for the distribution of the assets.
• Someone named in the will dies before you or is unable to receive the inheritance you left for them.

This can also happen if you set up a Payable On Death (POD) account but neglect to add a beneficiary to the account. Any funds in the account would be lumped into the residual estate.

What happens if you draft a will and don’t have a residuary estate clause? Any unclaimed or overlooked assets will be distributed, according to your state’s inheritance guidelines. However, this is only done after any estate taxes, outstanding debts or final expenses have been paid. Assets would be distributed as if you did not have a will. Heirs at law would receive assets according to kinship, including spouse, children, parents, siblings and other relatives.

How does a trust work in relation to a residual estate? Trusts are legal entities allowing you to transfer assets to a trustee. The trustee is responsible for managing assets on behalf of the trust for beneficiaries according to your wishes. You may want to establish a trust if you have a substantial estate, want to plan for a family member with special needs or if you wish to create a charitable giving legacy.

Speak with an experienced estate planning attorney to determine whether your will should have a residual clause and what assets should be included. The estate planning attorney will also be able to determine whether you need additional estate planning strategies, including a revocable living trust.

Reference: yahoo! (Dec. 4, 2022) “How to Write a Residuary Estate Clause in a Will”

Does Estate Plan Need a Trust?

Many people dismiss trusts as only needed by wealthy people. However, they actually can be used to solve many different issues. A recent article from The Mercury titled “Planning Ahead: How do you know when you need a trust?” examines the different reasons for using trusts.

Family Members with Special Needs. If your family includes a family member with special needs, you’ll want to use a Special Needs or Third-Party Supplemental Needs Trust to protect the individual’s eligibility to receive government benefits. Most benefits are means-tested, so a disabled person is not permitted to have more than a minimal level of assets. A well-intentioned family member may feel they are doing a good thing by bequeathing assets to an individual with special needs. However, they would instead be putting the person’s benefits at risk.

Special Needs planning is complex, since it usually involves several different benefit programs as well as services. An estate planning elder law attorney is often involved in helping families navigate benefits and planning for the future, when parents are deceased.

When money management is needed. The average person isn’t accustomed to managing million-dollar portfolios. Therefore, when a large inheritance is in the future, a trust with an experienced financial manager as a trustee can be a better alternative. This is good ‘future-proofing.’ For an example, a woman with a large estate dies unexpectedly, leaving adult children with an equally unexpected large inheritance. The children are suddenly tasked with managing complex investment vehicles and tax liabilities. Had the estate been in a trust with a skilled money manager, their interests would have been better protected.

Real estate in multiple states. Real estate in more than one state gets complicated for estate management. It might be easier to place all of the assets in one trust to make management easier.  If the goal is to keep the property in the family, like a vacation home, a trust is an easier way to own the property and define the rights and responsibilities of the beneficiaries.

Do you need tax protection? Placing assets in trusts can remove them from the taxable estate. Tax planning is a common reason to use trusts, and many different types of trust are available for this purpose.

Do you want a trust to manage funds during your life and after you’ve passed? A revocable living trust can be used to hold your assets during life and postmortem. A revocable trust does not remove assets from the taxable estate but are used for other purposes. This type of trust is usually used in conjunction with a “pour-over will,” where assets held in your name at the time of death are “poured over” into a living trust.

Your estate planning attorney will be able to determine which of the many different types of trusts will be right for you and your family’s unique circumstances.

Reference: The Mercury (Nov. 23, 2022) “Planning Ahead: How do you know when you need a trust?”