Living Trust Timely Updates to Act Now

Living Trust and estate plans are traditionally taken care of in the Fall Season. There isn’t anyone who hasn’t thought of taking care of this critical business. But there always seems to be something more important to do. Hopefully, this update gives you some valuable information and an incentive.

What is a Living Trust?

A Living Trust is a written, signed legal document that allows you to privately pass your assets to your family, friends, or charities after your death. It also serves to protect you in the event of incapacitation.

Some important points to know:

If you die or become incapacitated and have assets in your name, they are subject to Probate. These include bank accounts, investments, real estate, stocks and bonds, and minor beneficiary proceeds.
Probate Court can’t handle every person’s estate. The average time for completion of the Probate process is 18 months to two years.
A fully funded Trust completely avoids Probate and is administered privately.
The assets of minor children remain in Probate until age 18, with all assets released to them at that age.
A Living Trust plan should contain Health Care and Financial Power of Attorney documents and a Pour-Over Will.

Why Do You Need a Trust?

To control and protect your estate, now and after your death.
By law, no one can sign your name. Therefore if you acquire a disability, signing your name requires a previously executed Financial Power of Attorney. Your Financial Power of Attorney revokes by operation of law at your death.
With no Power of Attorney, you are subject to Guardianship and Conservatorship of your assets.
Accordingly, if you have assets in your name after your death, a Probate Estate must be opened. A judge names an Executor to administer your estate.
Last Will and Testaments do not avoid Probate. A Will is your wishes for who receives your property after your death. A Will is filed in court within 30 days after your death.

How Does a Trust Avoid Probate?

You change the title of your assets to your Trust name. Consequently, they are not subject to Probate while you are living or at your death.
Your Successor Trustee administers your estate privately and efficiently.
Notably, the process could take only a matter of weeks or as long as it takes to transfer your assets to your beneficiaries.

Does a Trust Protect My Assets?

A Living Trust protects your assets from the time and expense, and family stress of Probate.
A Trust does not protect against liability claims for as long as you are the Trustee. However, you have numerous ways to combine a Trust with sound asset protection strategies.
A Living Trust provides complete asset protection for your children/beneficiaries if they are subject to a lawsuit or divorce.

What Are the Other Advantages of a Living Trust?

Protects you in the event of your disability
Organizes lifetime management of your assets
Contains specific instructions for inheritance
Protects the wishes of the first spouse to die
Provides for blended families from prior marriages
Grandchildren included; children’s spouses excluded or included
Excludes estranged children or other relatives
Avoids the perils of joint tenancy
Special Needs protections
Protects against loss of Medicare and SSI benefits or government reimbursement if a beneficiary acquires a disability before your death
Includes assets in all states and avoids multiple state probate
Contains a No-Contest Clause
Provides creditor protection for beneficiaries with a Spendhrift Clause
Revocable
Easily amended
Readily adapted to the laws of another state if you move

Police Benefits Plan

For an expanded presentation of asset protection strategies and to receive regular updates on strategies to protect what you have earned, visit and register with the Police Benefits Plan on the link below. Registration for police, retirees, and families is free.

312-559-8444
17W220 22nd Street
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, 60181

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