Being named executor of someone’s estate is often viewed as an honor. It means the person who created the will trusted you to handle their affairs and carry out their wishes after death. But once the process begins, executors can sometimes discover that the role is more involved than originally believed. Executors must locate assets, pay […]
The title of trustee implies that this position should be held by someone you find trustworthy, and for good reason. Serving as a trustee of a trust carries significant responsibility and duty not just to you as the trust’s creator but also to the beneficiaries who depend on accurate, faithful administration. While being named a trustee […]
If you have created a trust that you intend to last for decades, choosing the right trustee is critical to ensuring the trust’s longevity and ultimate success. Initially, you may think that a relative (for example, Uncle Bill to your children, who are the initial beneficiaries of your trust) will be the best choice as trustee. […]
Family members with special needs may require assistance throughout their lives. If you want to ensure that a loved one with a disability is taken care of after you are gone, you can help manage resources for them by using a third-party special needs trust (SNT). Also known as a supplemental needs trust, a third-party SNT […]
When creating a last will and testament (commonly known as a will), one of your most important considerations is who to choose to serve as the executor (sometimes called a personal representative) of your estate. As the name implies, the role of the executor is to execute the instructions that you provide in your will. You […]
Would you like to provide your children or loved ones with an inheritance but protect them from the risks that may accompany a large windfall? If so, you may want to create a beneficiary-controlled trust. A beneficiary-controlled trusts allows the person you name as the trust’s primary beneficiary certain rights, benefits, and control over the property […]
When you form a trust as part of your estate plan, one of the most important decisions you will make is who will oversee the trust’s management when you are no longer able to manage it (this person is known as your successor trustee). Because a trustee’s work may be time-consuming, complicated, and risk liability, many […]
When someone who has named you as the executor of their will or the trustee of their trust passes away, you are obligated to distribute that person’s money and property according to the document’s terms to the designated beneficiaries. (For convenience, the roles of executor and trustee will be referred to throughout this article as the […]
The duties of a trustee has been covered by this blog in the past. Long time readers will know that a trustee has a duty under the law to communicate with beneficiaries and keep them reasonably informed as to the progress of the trust administration. In Texas, trustees are required to provide annual accounting of the […]
People who have accumulated a substantial amount of wealth during their lifetime are often reluctant to disclose the full extent of their wealth to their children. Although there may be a number of good reasons for high-net-worth individuals to create a trust with their children as beneficiaries, the phrase “trust fund baby” immediately brings to mind […]
