Blog & Resources

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: My son has very little ambition and lives in my basement. My other children are successful and have their own houses. At my death, I want my house sold and the money divided equally between my three children, but I am sure that my son will refuse to leave the house. What can I do to make sure the house is sold?

Children who will not leave the house are a common problem, and a source of family conflict. By recognizing the potential problem, you can help defuse the potential conflict.

I suggest that we amend your will to state clearly that the house must be sold immediately following your death.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I was told that I should make the Irrevocable Trusts I am setting up for my children “Spendthrift” Trusts. What does that mean, and what is the advantage of a Spendthrift Trust?

A Spendthrift Trust refers to an Irrevocable Trust created for a beneficiary that does not give the beneficiary the right to assign his or her interest in the trust to a third person, so that the trust assets are not subject to the beneficiary’s liabilities or creditor claims.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am the executor under my Uncle’s will (he is alive and living in Gloucester County). I would like to make a minor change to his will. My uncle agrees to the change. Do I need a lawyer to change the will?

Each competent person over the age of 18 can have a will, but only that person can change or modify the will. Your uncle is free to change the Will if he is still competent. The Executor is the person who carries out the terms of the Will after death, so right now you have no power to do anything, especially make changes.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My second husband and I live in a house that I own outright. If I die, I want him to be able to live in the house as long as he chooses, but I want my children to inherit the house when he moves out or dies. How do I keep them from evicting him from the house?

Avoiding conflict between children from the first marriage and the second spouse can be challenging, but if you are honest about the personalities involved, there is usually a way to satisfy everyone. One option in your case is to form a trust in your will that holds your house.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I had a Revocable Trust formed years ago, which I thought replaced my will. Now I hear I also need a “pour over will.” What is a pour over will?

A Pour Over Will is a will that simply states that if you have any asset in your name at death, it should “pour over” into the Revocable Trust and names the executor who will have this power. If you have moved all assets into your Revocable Living Trust or have your assets pour into the trust at your death, then there is likely no need for a Will…but there is still a chance you will need a will filed.

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: Has the Angel of Death Tax Loophole been closed?

No, the Angel of Death Tax Loophole continues to exist, even though presidents from JFK to Obama have asked for it to be closed. In short, the Angel of Death Tax Loophole refers to all capital gains in an estate being forgiven at a person’s death.

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.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Who inherits my father’s pacemaker? My father was cremated, but the attendants first removed his pacemaker for safety purposes. My sister says she wants it so her son can take it apart, as he likes gadgets. After doing some snooping around, I think that she wants it to sell on the black market. Who has a right to the pacemaker? I don’t want my sister to sell my dad’s pacemaker on the black market.

I have to admit, this is a new one to me. Some research has shown me that there are no pacemakers approved by the FDA for multiple use in the USA. So, without more information about the specific pacemaker, I cannot tell you if a sale is even possible (legally). Let’s address your question about who owns the pacemaker.