Time to Protect Your Child’s Future
As a parent, you want to protect your child’s future, but have you ever pondered what might happen if you could not be a part of it? This contemplation can be a sad one for anyone. Nevertheless, by proactively putting a plan in place, you can find solace in knowing that if the unexpected occurs, your child will still reap the rewards of your dedication and foresight. Taking a few important steps now offers you peace of mind and safeguards the well-being of your loved ones.
Set Goals and Put Them Into Place With an Estate Plan & Trust
Think about the goals you have for your child. Perhaps these goals involve a higher education or starting their own business. There are ways to guide them in these goals, even if you can’t be by their side. Estate planning can set aside funds to pay for your child’s education, help them purchase their first home, or even match a portion of their salary to encourage hard work. Estate planning can seem daunting. However, you will feel much better prepared for the future once you start the estate planning process to protect your child’s future.
Continuing Trust
Not every child is responsible for handling a substantial inheritance at eighteen without proper guidance. Opting for a continuing trust is an excellent way to safeguard your wealth and ensure your children can enjoy the future you envision. Utilizing a continuing trust allows you to hold funds for a specified period, avoiding outright distributions. This approach allows for controlled and gradual disbursements when children reach certain milestones. Therefore, you can ensure your hard-earned money is wisely managed for the benefit of your children.
Continuing trusts offer advantages in cases where a child stands to inherit funds while still a minor. Many jurisdictions restrict minors from owning property or receiving inheritances exceeding $20,000. When children are entitled to receive amounts beyond this limit, it often necessitates the establishment of a conservatorship or guardianship until adulthood. By setting up a continuing trust, you can effectively avoid the need for a conservatorship or court-monitored guardianship. Accordingly, you ensure the funds are managed responsibly and distributed gradually, aligning with your child’s life milestones and financial readiness. Ultimately, this approach safeguards your child’s inheritance and offers them better financial protection and management of their resources.
Health and Education Exclusion Trust
Every parent aspires to offer their child ample opportunities. Education often serves as a crucial stepping stone to greater prospects. A Health and Education Exclusion Trust sets aside funds to cover descendants’ health and education expenses. By creating such a trust, you gain the ultimate peace of mind, knowing that your child’s educational and healthcare costs are secure and taken care of.
Incentive Trust
Incentive trusts offer parents the ability to establish various objectives and corresponding rewards. The trust can distribute the appropriate funds once a child accomplishes a set goal. This unique feature allows parents to set multiple and distinct goals for each child, tailoring the trust to match individual aspirations and potentials.
Beneficiary-Controlled Trust
A beneficiary-controlled trust allows a beneficiary to serve as the sole trustee or co-trustee. In this arrangement, the beneficiary gains substantial control over their inheritance, while you, as the grantor, can impose certain restrictions on its utilization. When the beneficiary is the sole trustee, they can make distributions based on an ascertainable standard. Therefore, they can use the trust’s assets per your outlined guidelines, ensuring the funds are utilized responsibly and aligned with your intentions. This type of trust offers a balanced approach, granting the beneficiary autonomy while maintaining your ability to set essential parameters to safeguard the assets and their purpose.
Trust in Us
Trusts are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The type of trust you select should be tailored to address your concerns and unique circumstances. Consulting with a qualified estate planning professional is essential in this process. An experienced professional will carefully analyze your situation and consider your objectives in establishing a trust. With this information, they can develop a comprehensive plan that safeguards your and your family’s future. Don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance to ensure your estate plan aligns with your wishes. Contact our firm for a complimentary consultation to learn more about how we can protect your child’s future.