An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) is a legal vehicle used to remove a life insurance policy from a person’s taxable estate while providing liquidity to beneficiaries. This guide explains how an ILIT works, who may benefit from one, and common ways families use ILITs to pay estate taxes, reimburse final expenses, or ensure orderly distribution of funds after a death. We describe important documents, typical timelines, and steps you can take in Walnut Creek or elsewhere in California to align an ILIT with broader estate planning goals while considering state rules and federal tax implications.
At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, we help clients evaluate whether an ILIT fits their estate plan goals in Contra Costa County and nearby communities. Many families seek an ILIT to preserve estate value and provide for heirs without leaving life insurance proceeds subject to estate administration. We will review your insurance policies, retirement arrangements, and family circumstances to suggest arrangements that work with revocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Our focus is on practical, compliant solutions that match your objectives and California law considerations.
An ILIT can provide several benefits for individuals who want to control how life insurance proceeds are handled after their death. By transferring ownership of a policy into an ILIT, the proceeds may avoid inclusion in the taxable estate, potentially reducing estate tax exposure and simplifying the distribution process for heirs. An ILIT also allows for specific instructions about timing and use of proceeds, such as staged distributions for minors or funds dedicated to paying estate liabilities. Careful drafting and proper funding procedures are required to achieve these advantages under federal and California rules.
Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves clients across San Jose, Walnut Creek, and the broader Bay Area with practical estate planning services. Our approach emphasizes clear communication, thorough review of financial and family circumstances, and tailored documents that work together: wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and ILITs where appropriate. We work to explain options so you can make informed decisions. If needed, we coordinate with financial advisors and insurance agents to ensure policy ownership and premium payments are structured to support the objectives of the trust.
An ILIT is a separate irrevocable trust that owns and controls one or more life insurance policies for the benefit of named beneficiaries. The grantor transfers a life insurance policy into the trust or the trust purchases a new policy, and trust terms govern how and when proceeds are paid. Because the trust owns the policy, proceeds typically pass to beneficiaries without becoming part of the grantor’s taxable estate, provided the transfer meets certain timing and ownership requirements. Proper administration, including gift tax considerations when premiums are paid, is important to preserve the intended tax and estate planning outcomes.
When creating an ILIT, careful attention must be paid to the mechanics of transferring ownership and funding premium payments. Transfers made shortly before death may not achieve the intended estate tax exclusion, and premium gifts must be structured to avoid unintended tax consequences. The trust document should include clear instructions for trustees about distributing proceeds, handling policy loans, and coordinating with other estate plan components like pour-over wills and certifications of trust. Working through these details helps ensure the ILIT functions as intended to provide liquidity and protect estate value for beneficiaries.
An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust is a legal entity established to own life insurance policies for the benefit of named individuals or entities. Its core features include irrevocability of the trust terms, ownership of the policy by the trust rather than the grantor, and trustee control over distributions. The trust document specifies beneficiaries, distribution conditions, and powers of the trustee. Irrevocability means the grantor cannot easily change the trust terms once it is funded, which is why careful planning and drafting are essential to align the trust with long-term estate planning objectives and to avoid unintended estate inclusion or tax exposure.
Setting up an ILIT typically involves drafting the trust document, transferring existing policies or having the trust acquire new policies, and establishing how premiums will be paid. The trust must include provisions for trustee powers, successor trustees, beneficiary definitions, and distribution rules. Donors often make annual gifts to trust beneficiaries or to the trustee sufficient to cover premiums, and gift tax exclusions such as annual exclusion gifts can be used when structured correctly. Trustees must keep records, comply with notification requirements for certain gifts, and administer policy proceeds in accordance with the trust terms.
Understanding common terms helps demystify the ILIT process. This glossary covers frequently used phrases such as grantor, trustee, beneficiary, and life insurance policy ownership. It explains how transfers, premium funding, and trust administration affect estate and gift tax results, and it clarifies how an ILIT fits into a broader estate plan alongside documents like pour-over wills and revocable living trusts. Familiarity with these terms can help you ask focused questions and make informed decisions when designing or reviewing an ILIT in California.
The grantor is the person who creates the ILIT and transfers the life insurance policy into the trust. As grantor, this individual establishes the trust terms and typically provides the initial direction for beneficiaries and trustee powers. Because an ILIT is irrevocable once properly funded, the grantor gives up direct ownership and control over the policy, which is central to achieving certain estate tax outcomes. The decision to create an ILIT should be made with an awareness of how the transfer and subsequent premium funding will be treated for tax and estate administration purposes in California and at the federal level.
The trustee is the person or entity appointed to hold legal title to the life insurance policy on behalf of the trust beneficiaries and to administer the trust according to its terms. Trustees manage premium payments, handle communications with the insurer, keep records, and make decisions about distributions after a policyholder’s death. A successor trustee provision ensures continuity of administration in the event the original trustee cannot serve. Trustees must act in accordance with the trust document and applicable law, and selecting someone who will follow the grantor’s intentions and manage administrative responsibilities is an important decision.
Beneficiaries are the individuals or entities designated to receive the proceeds from the ILIT upon the insured’s death. The trust document specifies how and when beneficiaries receive funds, which can include outright distributions, staged payments, or uses limited to specific purposes such as education or care of dependents. Proper beneficiary designations and clear trust provisions help prevent conflict and confusion during estate administration. The trustee is responsible for following the trust instructions and distributing proceeds to beneficiaries in accordance with the terms established by the grantor.
Ownership of the life insurance policy by the ILIT rather than by the insured is fundamental to the trust’s function. When the trust owns the policy, proceeds are generally payable to the trust and then distributed according to the trust’s terms, instead of being part of the insured’s probate estate. Properly executed ownership transfer must comply with contestability and transfer-for-value rules, and transfers made shortly before death may not achieve intended tax benefits. It is important to coordinate the ownership change with premium funding mechanisms so the trust can maintain the policy in force over time.
There are several ways to use life insurance in estate planning beyond creating an ILIT. Keeping a policy in one’s own name provides straightforward control but can result in inclusion in the taxable estate. Naming individual beneficiaries directly on a policy can expedite payment but may complicate estate administration. A revocable living trust can coordinate assets but will not shield life insurance proceeds unless ownership is transferred out of the grantor’s estate. Comparing these options requires evaluating liquidity needs, tax exposure, control preferences, and family circumstances to determine which approach best supports overall estate objectives.
A limited approach, such as retaining a policy in your own name or naming beneficiaries directly, can be appropriate if your overall estate is well below federal and state estate tax thresholds and liquidity needs are modest. In those situations, the administrative complexity and costs associated with creating and maintaining an ILIT may outweigh potential tax benefits. Simple arrangements can still provide direct relief to beneficiaries without the ongoing recordkeeping and trustee coordination required by an irrevocable trust. Careful review of assets and liabilities will clarify whether a limited approach aligns with your estate goals.
If your primary goal is to ensure that certain family members or dependents receive funds quickly and with minimal administration, naming beneficiaries directly on the policy or coordinating with a payable-on-death account can be an effective approach. These arrangements typically result in faster disbursement of proceeds than trust administration, which may involve additional steps. However, ease of access should be weighed against asset protection and long-term planning goals. A focused review of family needs and likely scenarios can determine which approach best balances speed and oversight.
An ILIT rarely functions in isolation; it should be coordinated with revocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to ensure consistent treatment of assets and beneficiaries. Comprehensive planning helps prevent conflicts between beneficiary designations and trust terms, and it aligns instructions for fiduciaries and family members. A full review of estate documents ensures that an ILIT complements other planning tools, that contingent language is in place for unexpected events, and that funding mechanisms and trustee authorities are properly drafted to achieve intended outcomes across different situations.
When premium payments, gift tax considerations, or ownership transfers create potential tax implications, a comprehensive approach is important to structure the trust and related transactions correctly. Coordination with financial advisors and careful drafting can help make use of gift tax exclusions, prevent accidental estate inclusion, and ensure premium funding does not undermine trust objectives. A comprehensive review anticipates likely scenarios and includes contingency plans for changes in policy terms, beneficiary needs, or tax law developments, helping the ILIT remain effective over time.
A comprehensive estate plan that includes an ILIT can provide clearer outcomes, reduce the risk of unintended tax consequences, and improve coordination among heirs and fiduciaries. By aligning the ILIT with revocable trusts, wills, and powers of attorney, families gain consistency in how assets are managed and distributed. Comprehensive planning also allows trustees to administer proceeds according to documented intentions such as staged distributions or restricted uses, which can protect beneficiaries and preserve assets. This approach often reduces disputes and streamlines administration after a death.
Another benefit of a comprehensive approach is the ability to maintain flexibility where appropriate, while still achieving tax and administrative advantages. Properly drafted trust language and funding mechanisms can accommodate changing family circumstances, such as births, deaths, marriages, or changes in financial condition. Regular reviews and updates help ensure the ILIT remains aligned with current goals and complies with evolving legal and tax frameworks. Families that review documents periodically are in a better position to avoid surprises and to preserve value for intended beneficiaries.
An ILIT provides a way to direct how life insurance proceeds are used after death, allowing staged distributions, conditions for use, or protections for beneficiaries who may not be ready to manage large sums. This control can prevent dissipation of funds, ensure funds are used for education or care, and help protect assets for future generations. The trust document can set guidelines that balance beneficiary needs with long-term preservation, offering a structured approach that promotes financial stability and aligns distributions with the grantor’s intentions.
When properly funded and administered, an ILIT can remove life insurance proceeds from the grantor’s taxable estate, which may reduce estate tax obligations and streamline post-death administration. By keeping policy proceeds within the trust, payments can be made outside of probate and according to detailed instructions. While tax laws and thresholds change, an ILIT remains a useful tool for many families to manage liquidity and support orderly distribution, provided transfers and funding comply with applicable timing and reporting requirements.
Ensure that the ILIT truly owns the policy and that beneficiary designations on the insurer’s forms are consistent with the trust terms. Mismatched beneficiary designations can defeat the purpose of the trust and result in unintended probate or estate inclusion. When transferring an existing policy, notify the insurer and complete required change-of-owner forms. Keep records of the transfer and any premium funding arrangements. Clear documentation helps trustees, family, and advisors understand the intended structure and reduces the potential for disputes or administrative delays.
Selecting a trustee who understands administrative duties and will follow the trust’s terms is important for the ongoing management of an ILIT. Trustees are responsible for premium payments, recordkeeping, and communications with the insurer and beneficiaries. Consider naming successor trustees and providing clear guidance in the trust document about powers and duties. A trustee does not need to be a professional; a trusted family member or friend can serve if they are willing to perform administrative tasks and maintain transparent records to support effective trust administration over time.
People consider an ILIT for reasons such as removing life insurance proceeds from their taxable estate, providing liquidity to pay estate expenses, and controlling how proceeds are distributed. An ILIT can protect proceeds from being handled through probate, provide structured distributions for dependents, and ensure funds are available when needed to satisfy financial obligations. It is particularly useful for those with significant life insurance holdings, complex family dynamics, or estate plans that require coordination between insurance and trust assets to meet long-term goals and manage tax implications.
An ILIT may also help preserve family wealth and reduce potential disputes by setting clear distribution rules that align with the grantor’s intentions. When beneficiaries include minors or individuals who may need oversight, trust provisions can provide staged or conditional distributions that support their needs over time. Additionally, integrating an ILIT with other estate planning documents delivers cohesion across plans, ensuring that payable-on-death designations, retirement accounts, and trust assets work together to accomplish the grantor’s desired outcomes in a way that is administrable under California law.
Typical circumstances prompting consideration of an ILIT include significant life insurance holdings, concerns about estate tax exposure, the need to provide liquidity for estate settlement costs, and desires to control how proceeds are used after death. Families with blended relationships, minor children, or beneficiaries who may not be financially prepared often use ILITs to set distribution terms. Business owners sometimes use ILITs to fund buy-sell agreements or provide liquidity to heirs. Each situation requires tailored planning to align the trust terms with overall objectives and family dynamics.
Individuals with substantial life insurance policies may use an ILIT to remove policy proceeds from their taxable estate, potentially reducing estate tax exposure and simplifying administration for heirs. An ILIT can protect the proceeds from becoming part of estate valuation while providing specific instructions about distribution. To be effective, the timing of transfers and ongoing premium funding must be addressed carefully, and the trust document must be drafted to match the grantor’s goals for beneficiaries and liquidity needs at the time of death.
When beneficiaries include minors or individuals who require oversight, an ILIT allows the grantor to establish rules for staged distributions, educational support, or other defined uses. This structure can prevent funds from being squandered and ensure that resources are used to support long-term well-being. Trustees can be given discretion to distribute funds for specific purposes such as housing, education, or health care, helping to preserve and manage proceeds responsibly for beneficiaries who may not be ready to receive large sums outright.
Business owners and individuals with complex estates may use an ILIT to provide liquidity for estate settlement, to fund buy-sell agreements, or to ensure heirs have immediate access to cash for taxes and debts. Having life insurance proceeds dedicated to these purposes can prevent forced asset sales and maintain continuity of operations in business contexts. The ILIT should be coordinated with buy-sell agreements, business valuation plans, and overall estate strategies to ensure funds are available when needed and distributed according to the grantor’s intentions.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves Walnut Creek and surrounding Contra Costa County communities with personalized estate planning services tailored to local clients. We assist with creating and funding ILITs, drafting revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Our goal is to provide clear guidance on the interaction between life insurance, trust ownership, and other estate planning documents so clients can make informed decisions that meet family goals and comply with California legal and tax frameworks.
Clients work with our firm because we provide careful, personalized attention to the way life insurance and trust documents are coordinated. We review existing policies, create clear trust provisions, and recommend practical funding strategies to support the ILIT’s ongoing maintenance. Our focus is on helping clients implement arrangements that reflect their wishes while minimizing the potential for administrative complications or unintended tax consequences. Communication and thoughtful planning are central to our approach in Walnut Creek and the surrounding region.
We make it a priority to explain complex concepts in plain language so clients can understand the implications of transferring policy ownership, using gift tax exclusions, and naming trustees and beneficiaries. Our team assists with document execution, coordination with insurers, and periodic reviews to account for life changes. By emphasizing practical steps and documentation, we aim to make the ILIT a reliable component of a client’s estate plan rather than a source of ongoing uncertainty or administrative difficulty for heirs.
Clients in Walnut Creek and throughout Contra Costa County appreciate our hands-on approach to planning and administration. We help ensure that ILITs are funded properly, that trustees have clear instructions, and that the trust aligns with broader estate planning goals such as providing for family members, protecting assets, and ensuring liquidity at the time of death. Our services include drafting trust instruments, coordinating transfers with insurers, and advising on funding strategies to support long-term plan effectiveness.
Our process begins with an initial consultation to gather financial information, policy details, and family considerations. We review existing documents, discuss objectives and timing, and recommend the most suitable structure for an ILIT if appropriate. After agreeing on an approach, we draft the trust document, prepare transfer and insurer forms, and assist with funding mechanisms for ongoing premiums. We also provide guidance for trustees and review documents periodically to ensure the plan remains consistent with your goals and current law. Clear communication and documentation are hallmarks of our process.
The first stage involves a comprehensive review of your estate, beneficiary designations, life insurance policies, and family circumstances to determine whether an ILIT fits your objectives. We discuss potential tax implications, timing considerations for policy transfers, and how the trust should coordinate with existing estate documents. This review informs recommendations for trust structure, trustee selection, and funding strategies. Clear documentation of goals and resources at this stage lays the foundation for a well-aligned ILIT and a holistic estate plan that addresses immediate and long-term needs.
We gather details about current life insurance policies, including ownership, beneficiaries, premium schedules, and contract provisions, as well as information about other estate assets and liabilities. This information helps identify whether transfers to an ILIT will achieve the intended tax and estate planning outcomes and reveals any insurer requirements or potential complications. Accurate data enables informed recommendations about ownership changes, premium funding, and integration with revocable trusts, wills, and powers of attorney to create a coordinated plan.
We discuss your objectives for the proceeds, such as providing for dependents, funding education, or preserving assets through business succession. Family dynamics, beneficiary needs, and timing considerations all influence how an ILIT should be structured and whether alternate approaches may be preferable. We also address trustee selection and the form of distributions that best match your goals. This conversation helps us design trust terms that reflect your priorities and provide clear guidance for trustees and beneficiaries.
During the drafting and execution phase, we prepare the ILIT document tailored to your goals and coordinate the necessary conveyance and insurer forms to transfer policy ownership. The trust includes clear provisions for trustees, successor trustees, and distribution instructions. We meet with you to review the draft, make adjustments as needed, and oversee proper signing and funding to ensure the trust is legally effective and aligned with the intended outcomes. Proper execution at this stage is essential to preserve the benefits of the trust under tax and estate rules.
We draft provisions that define trustee authority, successor trustee succession, taxable events handling, and distribution instructions to beneficiaries. These terms address how proceeds are to be used, restrictions or conditions on distributions, and the trustee’s responsibilities for premium payments and recordkeeping. By clearly articulating these provisions, the trust reduces ambiguity and provides a roadmap for trustees to administer the trust in line with the grantor’s objectives while complying with applicable laws and insurer requirements.
After the trust is signed, we help complete change-of-owner forms with the insurance company and confirm that beneficiary designations on the policy match the trust ownership. We also advise on funding methods for premiums, such as annual gifts to the trust or other funding strategies, and help document those transfers. Timely coordination with the insurer and careful attention to funding mechanics are critical to ensure the policy remains in force and that the trust achieves the intended estate planning results.
Once an ILIT is in place, ongoing administration includes payment of premiums, recordkeeping, and communications with beneficiaries as appropriate. Trustees should keep accurate records of gifts, premiums, and distributions, and the grantor should periodically review the trust in light of life changes or tax law developments. We advise clients and trustees on administrative best practices, assist with trustee transitions, and provide updates to ensure the trust continues to align with objectives. Periodic legal review helps prevent unintended consequences and maintain the trust’s effectiveness over time.
Trustees must maintain clear records of premium payments, gifts received to fund premiums, communications with insurers, and any distributions made in accordance with the trust terms. Proper recordkeeping supports transparency to beneficiaries and helps in meeting any reporting requirements. Trustees should also be familiar with the terms of the trust and consult with advisors when complex decisions arise. Clear records make administration smoother and reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings during the trust’s operation or at the time of the insured’s death.
It is important to review the ILIT and related estate planning documents periodically, especially after major life events such as births, deaths, marriages, divorce, or significant changes to assets. Reviews can confirm the trust remains aligned with goals and that funding arrangements are sustainable. When changes are needed, we evaluate options and implement adjustments where legally permitted. Staying proactive about reviews helps ensure the trust continues to meet the grantor’s intentions and adapts appropriately to changed circumstances.
An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust is a trust created to own and manage life insurance policies for the benefit of named beneficiaries. The grantor transfers ownership of an existing policy into the trust or the trust purchases a new policy, and the trust document specifies how proceeds will be distributed when the insured dies. Because the trust, not the individual, owns the policy, proceeds typically pass to beneficiaries outside the probate process, provided the transfer complies with timing and ownership rules under federal and state law. The trustee manages the policy, pays premiums with trust funds or gifts made to the trust, and distributes proceeds according to the trust terms. Proper setup and ongoing administration are important to achieve intended tax and estate planning outcomes. Coordination with other estate planning documents and clear trustee instructions are essential for a functional and effective ILIT in practice.
Transferring a policy into an ILIT may be treated as a gift for tax purposes, depending on the circumstances and how premium payments are handled. If an existing policy is transferred, the value of the policy at the time of transfer may be considered a gift. However, there are strategies, such as annual exclusion gifts to the trust, that may be used to fund premiums without triggering significant gift tax consequences when structured correctly. Gift tax rules and exclusions can be complex, and timing matters for tax treatment and estate inclusion. For instance, transfers made shortly before death may be pulled back into the estate for tax purposes under certain rules. Careful planning and documentation are required to minimize unintended tax outcomes and to ensure the transfer achieves the grantor’s objectives.
If you name beneficiaries directly on a life insurance policy and also use an ILIT, inconsistent designations can undermine the trust’s purpose. For the ILIT to control proceeds, the trust should be the policy owner and the policy beneficiary should be the trust. Mismatched beneficiary designations can result in proceeds being paid outside the trust and possibly subject to probate or estate inclusion, which defeats the planning intent. When establishing an ILIT, it is important to coordinate beneficiary designations with the insurer and to confirm that the trust is set up and owns the policy. Clear documentation and insurer notifications help prevent confusion and ensure proceeds are distributed according to the trust document rather than through conflicting beneficiary forms.
The trustee of an ILIT should be someone who will manage administrative duties responsibly and follow the trust’s instructions. This person can be a trusted family member, friend, attorney, or financial institution, depending on the complexity of the trust and the time required for administration. Choosing a trustee who understands recordkeeping, communications with insurers, and the trust’s distribution objectives is important for smooth administration. It is also wise to name successor trustees and to provide clear guidance within the trust document about the trustee’s powers and responsibilities. If family dynamics or complex assets are involved, a professional fiduciary or institutional trustee may be appropriate to ensure impartial administration and continuity over time.
Premiums for a policy owned by an ILIT are typically funded through gifts made to the trust by the grantor or other contributors. One common approach is to give annual gifts to the trust sufficient to cover premiums and to structure those gifts to qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion, when applicable. Trustees then use those gifts to pay premiums directly to the insurer, maintaining the policy in force on behalf of the trust beneficiaries. Accurate recordkeeping and timely notification to beneficiaries or trustees about the purpose of gifts are important to support the intended tax treatment and to ensure proper administration. Missteps in funding or documentation can compromise the trust’s objectives, so consistent procedures and documentation are essential for ongoing premium funding.
Transferring a life insurance policy to an ILIT shortly before death can cause the proceeds to remain part of the insured’s estate for tax purposes under the three-year lookback rule, depending on circumstances and applicable tax laws. Transfers made within a specified period before death may be included in the estate, which can negate the intended estate tax exclusion. Timing matters, and transfers should be planned with awareness of these rules to preserve the ILIT’s intended benefits. If you are considering transferring ownership of a policy, it is important to review timing and possible exceptions carefully. Early planning and proper coordination with estate documents and beneficiary designations can help avoid last-minute transfers that fail to achieve the desired estate planning results.
An ILIT is a distinct vehicle that often complements a revocable living trust or will. While a revocable trust can hold many assets and provide probate avoidance for those assets, it does not automatically remove life insurance proceeds from the grantor’s taxable estate unless ownership of the policy is transferred out of the grantor’s name and into an irrevocable trust like an ILIT. Pour-over wills and certifications of trust can coordinate how assets move within an overall estate plan while ensuring consistent directions for beneficiaries. Coordination ensures beneficiary designations, trust provisions, and wills are not in conflict. For example, a pour-over will can ensure assets not previously transferred to a trust are moved into trust control at death. Consistent planning across documents reduces confusion and helps trustees and fiduciaries administer the estate according to the grantor’s full estate plan.
An ILIT can play a role in business succession planning by providing liquidity to buy out interests or to support heirs without disrupting ongoing business operations. Life insurance owned by an ILIT can fund buy-sell agreements or provide cash for estate taxes and debts, preventing forced sales of closely held business interests. Trust proceeds can be directed to specific beneficiaries or used in accordance with buy-sell terms, supporting continuity and fairness among owners and heirs. Coordination with buy-sell agreements, valuation methods, and business succession documents is important to ensure the ILIT serves the intended purpose without unintended tax or administrative consequences. When business interests are involved, careful drafting and funding strategies help align the ILIT with broader succession objectives and financial needs.
Trustees of an ILIT handle administrative duties including paying premiums, maintaining records of gifts and payments, communicating with insurers and beneficiaries, and making distributions in line with the trust terms. Accurate recordkeeping supports transparency and compliance and helps trustees demonstrate that the trust has been administered correctly. Trustees should also be familiar with any reporting or tax forms related to trust transactions and keep beneficiaries informed as appropriate under the trust provisions. When complex decisions or disputes arise, trustees may consult legal or financial advisors to fulfill their duties properly. Naming successor trustees and including clear instructions in the trust document can ease transitions and ensure continued administration in accordance with the grantor’s intentions.
You should review your ILIT and overall estate plan periodically and after major life events such as births, deaths, marriages, divorce, or significant financial changes. Regular reviews help confirm that beneficiary designations, trustee appointments, and funding strategies remain aligned with your goals. Tax law changes and shifts in family dynamics can also affect the suitability of the trust’s terms, so periodic consultation enables proactive adjustments when permitted by law. Annual or biennial reviews are common for many families, but the ideal schedule depends on your circumstances. Reviewing documents with an attorney and your financial advisors ensures the trust continues to meet objectives and that administrative practices remain current, reducing the chance of unintended outcomes at a critical time.
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