Pages

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Beware of Trust Mills

The Law.com is reporting on a bust up of a trust mill in Ohio.

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202434692692

What's a trust mill and why are they so bad? A trust mill is a derogatory term we in law land give to business who scare people into paying fees for a living trust, without correctly evaluating whether a living trust is appropriate for the clients needs. The mills overstate the problems of probate and taxes and overstate the role a living trust can have in remedying those problems. They crank out form trusts without legal review, or very cursory review. Most estates will have little to no problems with taxes and probate. In most cases, a living trust is more of a cost and hassle than benefit.

However, it should be stated that in some, specific, circumstances, a living trust may be beneficial. Don't be intimidated by salesmen into paying for an estate plan that may not be beneficial for you. Contact a licensed attorney who can meet with you, review your specific needs and craft a plan that meets them.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Providing for your parent without providing for your siblings... or allegedly abusive stage dad.

TMZ is reporting that Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the Jackson family, will receive 40% of the Michael Jackson estate. However, she does not get the 40% outright. Rather, the amount is held in trust. The trustees have control of how much is distributed to Kathrine, and upon her death, any remaining funds go to Michael's children.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/10/12/michael-jackson-katherine-jackson-kids-inheritance-trust/

This actually isn't that uncommon. Although there are many reasons to structure a testamentary dispositon (gift through a will) that way, one obvious reason is to protect those assets from other family members. If Katherine received 40% outright, Katherine would have 100% control over what happens to it, both during her life and after her death. Upon Katherine's death, any remaining amount would be part of her estate and go through intestacy or by the provisions of her will. This could result in family members who were specifically excluded from Michael's will receiving assets through Katherine.

Putting estate assets going to Katherine in a testamentary trust (trust set up through provisions in the will), prevents such an occurrence and helps assure that Michael's wishes as to who exactly benefits from his estate remain intact.

If you have specific wishes as to who, and who cannot, benefit from your estate, a testamentary trust may meet your needs. Contact a licensed attorney who can craft a will and testamentary trust that can help assure your wishes also remain intact.