Can a Revocable Trust Protect Your Assets from Catastrophic Medical Bills? Catastrophic medical costs are a real worry that many Americans have. If you or your spouse becomes ill, you may be looking at thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of medical bills. If you cannot pay […]
Category: Revocable Trusts and Living Trusts
From Our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: “Can you provide examples of Revocable Trusts being used successfully?” Examples of Revocable Trusts Being Used Successfully: To begin, I am assuming that you are somewhat familiar with Revocable Trusts. If you are not, or if you wish to refresh your memory, follow this […]
New Jersey Trust Lawyer Divorce can be a huge adjustment not only for you but for your children as well. The life you once knew is likely to change completely. During this time, you will be making a number of changes to your life. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for people […]
From our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: Pros and Cons of a Living Trust Most Recently Updated August 10, 2018. Pros and Cons of a Living Trust A living trust is just like a will. It is a legal document. It spells out all of their desires regarding assets, dependents, and heirs. […]
Our “Ask a Question” mailbag addresses a question about Amending a Revocable Trust. “Is amending a Revocable Trust difficult? How do I go about amending a Revocable Trust I formed in 1998, as I have some necessary updates?”
From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “After being diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s, I have been thinking about forming a Revocable Trust. Who pays the income tax on a Revocable Trust?”
A Revocable Living Trust can be a reliable tool in helping you manage your assets while suffering from Alzheimer’s. But, you should plan carefully and implement checks and balances.
From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “I have been diagnosed with early stage Alzheimers. I have heard that setting up an “unfunded trust” for long-term care might be a good idea. What is an unfunded trust and how is a trustthat is unfunded useful?”
When planning for Alzheimers, the term “unfunded trust” refers to a Revocable Living Trust which you set up but in which you currently put no assets. Because it is currently not “funded” with any assets, we call it an “unfunded trust.”
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I had a Revocable Living Trust created several years ago, but I have not put anything into it. I own my Philadelphia home, a few bank accounts and investment accounts. I want everything to pass to my daughter at my death, but she lives in California, so I want the transfer to be easy. Should I move my house from my name into the Revocable Trust?
The goal you have stated in forming your Revocable Living Trust was to make things easier on your daughter who lives in California. Though your intentions are good, without moving the house into the trust you really have done nothing to help her.
The basic idea surrounding a Revocable Living Trust is that during your lifetime you either move your assets into the trust or you set things up so that at your death, they pour into the trust.
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I have been diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s and need to create a way to have my son assist me as the disease progresses. Can a Revocable Living Trust help my son assist me with my diminished capacity and against any creditors that may arise in the future?
You are wise to start planning now to address your Alzheimer’s. Most people put off this planning, and that rarely ends well.
Creating a Revocable Living Trust that names both you and your son as co-trustees, each able to act independently, is a good system to help prepare for the future.
From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My son refuses to get a prenuptial agreement, how do I shelter the money I will leave him from my future daughter-in-law?
If your son refuses to protect himself, you have other options to protect the money you leave him. Instead of leaving him his inheritance outright, through your will or Revocable Living Trust you can form a protective trust to hold his inheritance.
