Michigan Estate Planning Blog

Should I have Revocable Living Trust in Estate Plan?

Kiplinger’s recent article entitled “What Assets Should Be Included in Your Trust?” says that a revocable living trust is a document that’s created to protect your assets during your lifetime. It also creates a way to seamlessly pass your assets at your death. The biggest benefit of creating a trust is avoiding probate. Placing your important assets in a trust can give you peace of mind knowing assets will be passed onto the beneficiary you designate, under the conditions you choose and without first undergoing a drawn-out probate process.

Many people think that once they sign the trust documents at their attorney’s office, they’re good to go. Setting up a trust is just half of the job. For a revocable living trust to take effect, it should be funded by transferring assets into the trust. You can fund a living trust with real estate, financial accounts, life insurance, annuity certificates, personal property, business interests and other assets.

People often ask if it’s wise to place their house in a trust. Considering that your home is potentially one of your largest assets, living trusts can be especially beneficial. A trust can transfer real estate quickly. They also help avoid the hassle of separate probate proceedings for land, commercial properties and homes that are owned out of state or held in different counties. However, property with a mortgage must be retitled in the name of the trust. Some lenders may be reluctant to do this.

There are several types of financial assets that can be owned by a trust, here are some examples:
Bonds
Stock certificates
Shareholders’ stock from closely-held corporations
Non-retirement brokerage and mutual fund accounts
Money market accounts
Cash
Checking and savings accounts
Annuities
Certificates of deposit (CD); and
Safe deposit boxes.

While creating a trust can seem to be costly and complex, it can make the inheritance process much easier on your beneficiaries. To ensure your trust performs as it is intended, work with an experienced estate planning attorney.

Reference: Kiplinger (Jan. 16, 2022) “What Assets Should Be Included in Your Trust?”

What Is a Power of Attorney?

 

Nj.com’s recent article entitled “What does becoming someone’s ‘power of attorney’ mean?” explains that a power of attorney (POA) is a legal document through which a principal states that his or her trusted agent may act on his or her behalf and for their benefit.

A power of attorney is usually centered on addressing the principal’s financial matters, such as banking, paying taxes and selling or buying property.

There is also what is known as a medical power of attorney or living will. This is a legal document through which a principal authorizes an agent to make medical decisions for him or her, when they’re incapable of making the decisions for themselves.

In either event, the agent doesn’t become personally responsible for the financial expenses incurred by the principal, unless the agent agrees to take such responsibility in his/her individual capacity.

It is, therefore, important to execute documents as an agent and indicate you’re doing so as an agent.

For example, you, Jim Smith, would sign for principal Mary Smith as follows: “Mary Smith, by Jim Smith, attorney-in-fact,” or “Jim Smith, as agent for Mary Smith, under power of attorney.”

When signing a contract with respect to nursing home care, be wary of agreeing to individually be the “responsible party.” That term may be defined to assign additional obligations, meaning being responsible for the bill.

Remember to sign everything as agent under the power of attorney.

Reference: nj.com (April 12, 2022) “What does becoming someone’s ‘power of attorney’ mean?”

 

Why Is Communication Important in Estate Planning?

 

Successful transition of wealth from generation to generation is best accomplished when family members have a shared understanding of the overall use of the family wealth. While the initial wealth creators have final say about how their assets are distributed, awareness and agreement on the part of the receiving family members regarding how the wealth is used can help preserve assets as they move to the next generation.

Forbes’ recent article entitled “Communication Can Be The Key To Creating Harmony In Multi-Generational Estate Planning” says that coming to an agreement can sometimes be difficult, especially if family members bring their own perspectives and values to the estate planning process. However, good communication can help head off potential multi-generational conflicts before they happen.

One of the most significant challenges in achieving multi-generational wealth preservation is that each individual and generation has a different outlook on wealth. Today’s families could include four or even five generations. This big gap in ages could mean differing perspectives on many topics, including:

1) Personal values. Family members may have different belief systems and values, including how they view work, social and political systems, relationships, and other topics.

2) Investing priorities. Some generations may give greater importance to socially conscious investing than others. This could create a conflict when it comes to how and where to invest.

3) Shifting economic environments. Older generations who have lived through various economic scenarios may have very different perspectives than younger generations, particularly those just coming of age in a time of high inflation and a slowing economy.

4)  Communication. Not every generation or family member is comfortable talking openly about money, especially when it comes to sharing how much is involved and how to spend it.

5)  View of the role of a financial advisor. Some family members may see a financial advisor as a trusted partner, and others may be more skeptical.

 

While these differences can create challenges in the estate planning process, you can resolve them and reach an agreement about how to best manage the family’s wealth. Begin with a plan designed for the long-term, spanning current and future generations that’s flexible to meet the family’s changing needs and shifting economic environments.

Reference: Forbes (April 18, 2022) “Communication Can Be The Key To Creating Harmony In Multi-Generational Estate Planning”

What Do I Need to Know about Wills?

 

Some people mistakenly think that not having a will enables their assets to bypass the time and expense of probate.
That’s 100% not true–if you die without a will, your property still must go through probate when there is no surviving joint owner or designated beneficiary, says FedWeek’s recent article entitled “Expressing Your Will with a Will.”
You really should have a will.
If probate avoidance is a concern, you can create a trust. By using a revocable trust, you can retain control over the trust assets while you are alive.
The assets placed in trust during your lifetime can be distributed at your death, under the instructions of the trust, without going through probate.
After you draft a will, do not forget about it.
Significant life events, like births, deaths, marriages and divorces, all may raise the need to revisit your last wishes.
After each change, be certain that your current will is both safe and accessible.
One way to do this is to leave your will with your executor, especially if you name a financial institution rather than an individual.
If you decide to keep your will somewhere else, your executor and other loved ones should know where it is.
The estate planning attorney who prepared your will should have a copy, as well as a memo stating the location of the original.
Regardless of where you put your will, you should have another document for your funeral and burial instructions.
Wills are typically not read until days or weeks after death, so it will not help your family make decisions about a funeral or a memorial service.
As a result, a separate letter should be drafted to state your final wishes. Your executor should know where these instructions can be located.
Reference: FedWeek (Feb. 22, 2022) “Expressing Your Will with a Will”

How to Get Started on an Estate Plan

 

CNBC’s recent article entitled “67% of Americans have no estate plan, survey finds. Here’s how to get started on one” reports that just a third of Americans have put these plans in place, according to a new survey from senior living referral service Caring.com.
That means that 67% are leaving what happens to them and their assets in case of disability or death up to others, including the state.
What is the biggest reason why they don’t have an estate plan? They just have not gotten around to it, according to 40% of survey respondents.
Meanwhile, 33% say they do not have enough assets to pass on to their loved ones, 13% said the estate-planning process is too costly. A total of 12% said they do not know how to get a will.
Those who have had a serious case of COVID-19 are 66% more likely to engage in estate planning compared to those who have not, according to Caring.com. About 41% of those ages 18 to 34 now see greater need for a will or other estate-planning documents following the onset of the pandemic.
Of course, there’s room for improvement, said Jim Rosenthal, CEO of Caring.com, noting only 48% of people who had a severe case of Covid have an estate plan in place.
“Even with the big scare of potential impending death, people still don’t run out and take care of what’s not that challenging to take care of,” Rosenthal said.
You should know that you do not need to have a lot of assets to decide where you want the assets you do have to go when you die, or to stipulate your preferences for your end-of-life or other care should you become incapacitated.
The first step is to become as educated as you can and consider consulting an experienced estate planning attorney. Call today to schedule your free consultation and have your questions answered- (989) 790-1461
Reference: CNBC (April 11, 2022) “67% of Americans have no estate plan, survey finds.

Should an Estate Plan Include a Cabin on the Lake?

 

If you don’t plan appropriately and thoughtfully, problems may arise with respect to this property and your family when you are gone, says Kiplinger’s recent article entitled “Your Vacation Home Needs an Estate Plan!”
Speaking with your spouse and children is a good first step to help determine interest in retaining the property for the next generation and financial ability to maintain it. Let’s look at three ways you can plan for your vacation home.
Leave a Vacation Home to Children Outright During Life or at Death. An outright transfer of the home via a deed to children is the easiest way to transfer a vacation home.

However, if your children all own the property equally, they all have an equal say as to its use and management.
As a result, all decisions require unanimous agreement, which can prove challenging and be ripe for disagreement. Suggest that they create a Use and Maintenance Agreement to determine the terms and rules for the property usage. The contract would require all children to agree.
Form a Limited Liability Company (LLC). This is a tool often used by families, where each family member has a certain amount of membership interests in a home or to give away a home in a controlled manner. The operating agreement states the rules for governing the use and management of the property.
Put the Vacation Home in a Trust. A trust is another way to help with the ownership and transfer of vacation homes. Ask an experienced estate planning attorney about how this might work for your family.
Planning for your family’s vacation property is important to help avoid litigation and maintain family peace.
Addressing how the property will be paid for and setting aside money for it—as well as selecting the right structure for your family to use and enjoy the property—will help avoid issues in the future.
Reference: Kiplinger (Feb. 1, 2022) “Your Vacation Home Needs an Estate Plan!”