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Many people interested in estate planning are unsure of the difference between wills and trusts. While both instruments allow you to distribute your assets after death, there are some key differences between the two. Keep reading to learn the differences between wills and trusts in Michigan to make the best decision for you and your family.
A will is a document that directs how your property will be distributed after you die. You can use a will to:
Trusts
A trust is another way to direct how your assets will be distributed after you die, but with some important differences from wills. Trusts can be revocable or irrevocable. Revocable trusts can be changed at any point during the settlor's lifetime, while irrevocable trusts cannot be changed once they are created. This means that with a trust you can:
While wills and trusts both allow you to direct how your assets will be distributed after you die, there are some important differences to consider. These include:
As mentioned above, one of the main advantages of using a trust is that it can help you avoid probate. With a will, your assets will go through probate after you die. Probate can be time-consuming and expensive, so avoiding it can be a major advantage.
With a will, you have less control over your assets' distribution than with a trust. With a trust, you can place conditions on how and when assets are distributed, which gives you more control over what happens to your assets after you die.
Another advantage of using a trust is that it can help you reduce or eliminate estate taxes. With a will, your assets may be subject to estate taxes when you die.
Deciding whether to use a will or a trust is an important decision in Michigan estate planning. If you have questions about wills vs. trusts, or any other aspect of estate planning, contact an experienced Michigan estate planning attorney today.
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When a couple gets divorced, their estate plan needs to be updated. This is because the original plan was likely based on the assumption that the couple would always be together. Now that divorce is on the horizon, it's important to make sure your estate plan reflects your new circumstances. If you don't update your estate plan after divorce, you could end up with a lot of problems down the road. In this blog, read about the impact of divorce on an estate plan and how to make changes to reflect your new situation.
Understandably, divorce can have a significant impact on all aspects of life, including your estate plan. If you have gone through the process of creating an estate plan, it is important to review and update your documents after your divorce is finalized. Here are some key changes to keep in mind:
If you named your former spouse as a beneficiary on any accounts (life insurance policy, retirement accounts, etc.), be sure to update the beneficiaries to reflect your current wishes.
If you named your former spouse as the guardian for any minor children, you may wish to appoint someone new in their place.
If you named your former spouse as an agent under a durable power of attorney, you will need to appoint someone new.
If your former spouse is named as executor or trustee of your estate, you will need to name someone new in their place. You may also need to make changes to the distribution of assets in your will or trust.
If you have any questions about updating your estate plan after a divorce, contact an experienced estate planning attorney and ask for their guidance. They can give you the help you need to make the most informed choice for your future.
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When it comes to planning for your financial future, there are a lot of different options to choose from. One option that many people don't know about is the retirement trust. A retirement trust can be a valuable part of your estate plan in Michigan. In this blog, learn what a retirement trust is and how it can help you secure your retirement future!
A retirement trust is defined as an irrevocable trust created for the primary purpose of holding retirement assets, such as 401(k)s, IRAs, and other pension or profit-sharing plans. The retirement trust is designed to provide benefits to the settlor during their retirement years and can be structured in a number of ways to achieve this goal.
There are several reasons why someone might opt to create a retirement trust as part of their estate plan. One reason is that it can help manage retirement assets and distribute them according to the settlor's wishes. Another reason is that a retirement trust can provide tax advantages. For example, if the settlor dies before they have withdrawn all of the funds from their retirement account. In that case, those funds can be distributed to their beneficiaries without incurring any tax penalties.
A retirement trust works by holding retirement assets in an account that is managed by a trustee. The trustee is responsible for investing the retirement assets and distributing them according to the terms of the trust. The settlor can choose to have the trust pay out benefits during their lifetime or after their death.
Creating a retirement trust is just one way to plan for retirement. There are many other options available, so it's important to speak with a qualified estate planning attorney to determine what's best for you and your family. If you have questions about retirement trusts or other aspects of estate planning, contact the team at Michigan Law Center, PLLC today. We would be happy to help you plan your most effective future.