TRUSTS REVIEW
May 8, 2023
As you begin the estate planning process, creating a trust is an excellent way to protect your assets and ensure their smooth transition to your loved ones. However, simply creating a trust is not enough. To ensure that your trust remains effective and meets your needs, it's essential to review it periodically.
A trust review is an evaluation of your trust's language, provisions, and assets to ensure it aligns with your current goals and objectives. Here are some reasons why you need to review your trust regularly:
Life Changes
Life is full of changes, and these changes can significantly impact the effectiveness of your trust. For example, you may have had a new child, gotten married or divorced, changed your employment or living situation, or experienced a significant financial gain or loss. Any of these changes can alter your plans for your estate and beneficiaries. Reviewing your trust regularly can ensure that it still adequately represents your goals and desires.
Changes in Circumstances
The law is continually changing, and these changes can affect how your trust will be executed. Estate planning laws may change at the state or federal level, leaving your trust open to interpretation or improperly addressing your wishes. Conducting a regular review of your trust can ensure it complies with applicable laws and regulation.
Asset Changes
Your assets may have changed since you initially created your trust. If you've acquired new assets, you'll want to ensure they are properly titled and documented in your trust. On the other hand, if you've sold or disposed of assets, you'll want to ensure that your trust reflects those changes. A trust review can help you update your trust's provisions to record these changes adequately.
Future Planning
Finally, reviewing your trust can help you plan for the future. While you may want to keep the same provisions, your goals may have changed, leading to a new distribution of your assets. It may also be a good idea to add provisions to nominate guardians, establish trusts for beneficiaries, or alter how assets are distributed.
In conclusion, a trust review is a vital part of ensuring that your estate plan meets your goals and objectives. Regular reviews can identify the necessary adjustments to keep your trust on track with your life events, changes in circumstances, changing laws, and emerging financial goals. Contact your estate planning attorney to review your trust and make the necessary changes to ensure the security and protection of your assets.
Our Office Can Help
Click here to Schedule a FREE Virtual Estate Planning Session. We will guide you through the entire process and help you understand what needs to be done to ensure your loved ones are taken care of.
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