Rethinking Trusts and Estate Planning

 Posted on December 29, 2014 in Estate Planning

Too often, people think that estate planning and trusts are not applicable to their lives. They may feel they are not old enough to begin to plan, and therefore mistakenly believe that only senior citizens make estate plans and set up trusts. Additionally, they may think that only people who are rich set up trust funds. Again, this is not true.

Although many wealthy individuals do set up trusts to ensure their loved ones are taken care of and their estate is not eaten up by taxes, trusts can be set up by people who have a limited means.

A trust is useful in several ways. Whether the person setting it up is rich or has a limited income, it ensures that a person to whom the trust is being left, such as a young adult, will not spend all the money at once. Quite often, a trusted family member or friend is named as trustee to cut down on expenses of administrating a trust.

Another reason why people avoid creating trusts is that they feel it will take too much work to create a trust. Yet the act of moving the money that will fund a trust does not have to be difficult. One option is to name a trust as a transfer-on-death beneficiary or payable-on-death in order to fund it. Hence, immediate action does not have to be taken. This helps keep the funds out of probate.

Many also believe that issues, such as trusts and estate planning, are only necessary when a person is dead and does not realize how helpful they can be when a person is still living. Trusts can help in the event one is stricken with a debilitating illness or injury. Having plans in place for unexpected tragedies can also help ease the burden off one's family since an estate plan will already have his or her wishes in place.

It is never too early to begin estate planning. If you need help developing an estate plan in Illinois, contact Stock, Carlson & Asso. LLC. Our experienced DuPage County estate planning lawyers offer solutions to protect your rights and assets and help you plan for a better retirement. We can assist clients in Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Lombard, Naperville, and throughout DuPage County. To schedule a consultation, please contact our office at 630-665-2500.