Drummond Financial Solutions

(330) 877-2923

Estate Read Time: 3 min

When Heirs are Imperfect

Passing your estate to an heir with credit problems or a gambling or alcohol addiction might not only lead to that wealth being squandered, but the inheritance could worsen the destructive behaviors.

Of course, you don’t want to disinherit your child simply because of their personal challenges. There are potential solutions that allow parents to control and incent behaviors long after they are gone, ensuring that a troubled child’s inheritance won’t be misused.1

Some Common Approaches

A trust is one idea, since it can pass wealth to an heir while maintaining control over the how, when, where, and why the funds can be accessed.2

When establishing such a trust, you can appoint a trustee, who is typically an independent, third party (e.g., trust company) or family member. Appointing a family member, however, may be fraught with problems. Hypothetically speaking, who do you think may be better able to resist the pleadings of a desperate beneficiary? A close relative or a corporate entity?

Furthermore, the trust can specify the precise circumstances under which money will be paid to its beneficiary, or it can specify that the trustee will retain complete discretion in the disbursement of funds.

Structuring Ideas

Trusts can also include incentives, such as requiring drug or alcohol testing before the funds are paid out, or perhaps, that a lump-sum payment be made only upon graduation from college.

To ensure that an heir is committed to change, lump-sum amounts can be paid out after prescribed periods of time, e.g., five years of sobriety. To encourage your heir to seek gainful employment, the trust might pay out a dollar for every dollar in wages. Alternatively, the trust can be written whereby payments are made directly to service providers, like a landlord or utility company.

Trusts can be flexible in their design, but before moving forward with a trust, consider working with a professional who is familiar with the rules and regulations.

1. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.
2. Using a trust involves a complex set of tax rules and regulations. Before moving forward with a trust, consider working with a professional who is familiar with the rules and regulations.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

 

Related Content

Choosing a Mortgage

Choosing a Mortgage

Selecting a mortgage isn't an easy process. Get a better understanding of how professionals make the right decisions.

Retirement Traps to Avoid

Retirement Traps to Avoid

Beware of these traps that could upend your retirement.

What Is My Current Cash Flow?

What Is My Current Cash Flow?

Assess whether you are running “in the black” or “in the red” each month.

 

Have A Question About This Topic?







Thank you! Oops!

Does Your Portfolio Fit Your Retirement Lifestyle?

Lifestyle considerations in creating your retirement portfolio.

A Meal for All Generations

When it comes to generational differences, knowing the facts can be difficult.

Traditional vs. Roth IRA

One or the other? Perhaps both traditional and Roth IRAs can play a part in your retirement plans.

View all articles

Saving for College

This calculator can help you estimate how much you should be saving for college.

Should I Pay Off Debt or Invest?

This calculator will help determine whether you should invest funds or pay down debt.

Potential Income from an IRA

Estimate your monthly and annual income from various IRA types.

View all calculators

5 Smart Investing Strategies

There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives

Protecting Those Who Matter Most

The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.

Your Cash Flow Statement

A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.

View all presentations

Should I Invest in Gold?

Learning more about gold and its history may help you decide whether it has a place in your portfolio.

The Power of Compound Interest

Learn how to harness the power of compound interest for your investments.

Global and International Funds

Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?

View all videos