A Grantor Retained Annuity Trust, or GRAT, is a trust that allows someone to transfer assets at a severely reduced tax rate. The trust is short-term and sends annuity payments that are funded by the interest gained on the assets to the creator of the trust. At the end of the term, the remaining assets left in the trust are released to the beneficiary of the trust. The advantage of this type of trust is that the payment at the end to the beneficiary is tax-free. GRATs are somewhat controversial … [Read more...] about What Is a GRAT (Grantor Retained Annuity Trust)?
Why Should I Have A Living Trust?
During the creation of your estate plan you will need to make numerous choices, starting with what tools and strategies you plan to incorporate into your plan. One common addition to a comprehensive estate plan is a living trust. You may be wondering “ Why should I have a living trust? ” A living trust is an extremely flexible estate planning tools that can accomplish a wide variety of goals, making it worthwhile to consider including one in your estate plan. A trust is a legal arrangement in … [Read more...] about Why Should I Have A Living Trust?
How Do You Fund Your Trust in St. Louis?
There was a time when trusts were used almost exclusively by wealthy families as a way to pass down the family fortune without paying estate taxes and without losing complete control over how the fortune was spent. In the 21st century, however, trusts are frequently included in even the most basic estate plans. If you are considering the addition of a trust to your estate plan in St. Louis, you may be wondering how to fund your trust. Actually, funding a trust in St. Louis is rather simple. At … [Read more...] about How Do You Fund Your Trust in St. Louis?
Can You Be the Trustee of My Living Trust?
A well thought out estate plan typically includes numerous legal documents as well as a wide variety of legal strategies, all aimed at accomplishing goals that complement your primary goal of creating a roadmap for the division of your estate property upon your death. One common addition to an estate plan is a trust. In fact, many estate plans include more than one trust because of the flexibility trusts offer and the numerous purposes a trust can serve within an estate plan. One decision that … [Read more...] about Can You Be the Trustee of My Living Trust?
Free Report: Trustee Duties and Responsibilities
Although your Last Will and Testament serves as the foundation for your overall estate plan, your plan will likely include numerous other estate planning documents, tools, and strategies. Exactly which documents, tools and strategies you choose to include in your estate plan will depend on your unique goals and objectives. Trusts, however, are a common addition to a comprehensive estate plan because of the flexibility trusts offer and the varied and numerous goals and objectives that can be … [Read more...] about Free Report: Trustee Duties and Responsibilities
Trustee Duties and Responsibilities
Trustee Duties and Responsibilities from Charlie Amen At its most basic, a trust is a legal arrangement where in a third party holds something of value for you for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. All trusts require four basic elements for creation. … [Read more...] about Trustee Duties and Responsibilities
What Is A Charitable Remainder Trust in St. Louis?
Creating an estate plan is an opportunity to bring together numerous different goals and objectives in one comprehensive plan. Though your Last Will and Testament will undoubtedly serve as the foundation of your plan, you will likely include a number of additional documents, tools, and strategies in your overall plan. One common addition to an estate plan is a trust. In fact, many people include more than one trust in their estate plan. In St. Louis and throughout Missouri, if you wish to make a … [Read more...] about What Is A Charitable Remainder Trust in St. Louis?
QDOT Trust in St. Louis: Do I Need to Include It in My Estate Plan?
If you are married to a non-citizen spouse and you wish to pass on your estate assets to your spouse in the event of your death you may need to include a QDOT trust in your comprehensive estate plan. Failing to do so could result in the loss of substantial estate assets to gift and estate taxes. In the 21st century it is not uncommon for people to travel the globe on a regular basis for business and/or pleasure. Not surprisingly, these world travelers often find the love of their life during … [Read more...] about QDOT Trust in St. Louis: Do I Need to Include It in My Estate Plan?
Protecting Your Injury Settlement with a Special Needs Trust
Some special needs individuals are born with special needs. Others acquire special needs status as a result of a medical condition or catastrophic accident later in life. For example, you could become disabled as a result of a tragic car accident, work accident, or other personal injury accident. If you become disabled from an accident, and another party’s negligence caused the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Your settlement, however, could actually cause more … [Read more...] about Protecting Your Injury Settlement with a Special Needs Trust
Trusts in St. Louis: When Does a Trust End or Terminate?
Trusts have become a very popular addition to a comprehensive estate plan in recent years because of the wide variety of trusts available and the numerous goals they can help achieve. If you are considering the addition of a trust to your estate plan it helps to have a better understanding of some trust basics before making your final decision. One question that often comes up is “When does a trust end or terminate?” Types of Trusts in St. Louis A trust can be a testamentary trust or a living … [Read more...] about Trusts in St. Louis: When Does a Trust End or Terminate?
