When You Need The Best

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust Attorney Serving Shadow Hills, CA

Comprehensive Guide to Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts in Shadow Hills

An irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) can play an important role in many estate plans for families and business owners in Shadow Hills and throughout Los Angeles County. This page outlines how an ILIT works, who may benefit from placing a life insurance policy into a trust, and what actions are typically required to implement and maintain an ILIT. You will learn about trustee responsibilities, funding the trust, potential tax considerations, and how an ILIT can preserve proceeds for heirs while keeping the policy outside of the insured’s taxable estate under certain circumstances.

Choosing to create an irrevocable life insurance trust involves careful planning to ensure the structure meets your goals for asset protection, tax planning, and family support. This overview explains the typical documents and administrative steps involved, such as trust formation, assignment of an existing policy or purchase of a new policy owned by the trust, beneficiary designations, and ongoing trust administration. We also discuss common pitfalls to avoid, such as improper transfers or retained incidents of ownership that could affect the intended benefits of the ILIT and how to address them through sound drafting and administration.

Why an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust May Matter for Your Estate Plan

An ILIT can provide several practical benefits when integrated into a broader estate plan. For many families, placing a life insurance policy into an irrevocable trust preserves proceeds for intended beneficiaries, helps pay estate taxes or other final obligations, and can protect the proceeds from creditor claims of certain beneficiaries. Additionally, an ILIT creates clear distribution rules and can support multi-generational planning goals. Considering the legal and administrative factors before establishing an ILIT is important to preserve the intended outcomes, and proper ongoing administration helps ensure the trust continues to operate as intended over time.

About Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman and Our Approach to ILITs

Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides estate planning services from our California practice, assisting clients with trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and related documents. Our approach to drafting and managing irrevocable life insurance trusts emphasizes careful analysis of a client’s financial situation, family dynamics, and long-term goals. We prepare clear, practical trust documents and offer guidance on trustee duties, funding strategies, and coordination with beneficiaries and financial institutions. Clients receive focused attention to the details that affect an ILIT’s effectiveness while preserving flexibility where the law permits.

Understanding Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts

An irrevocable life insurance trust is a legal vehicle designed to own and manage a life insurance policy outside the insured’s taxable estate in certain scenarios. The trust is created by a grantor who transfers ownership of an existing policy or arranges for the trust to own a new policy. A trustee manages the trust and follows the distribution and administration terms set by the grantor. Key considerations include transfer timing, powers retained by the grantor, and the impact of any retained ownership incidents on estate inclusion rules. Careful drafting and administration help align the ILIT with the grantor’s objectives.

Funding and maintaining an ILIT require coordinated actions. If an existing policy is assigned to the trust, a three-year lookback period can affect whether proceeds remain outside the grantor’s estate. If the trust will purchase a new policy, the trust must be properly formed, and premiums must be paid in a way that preserves the trust’s intended tax status. Trustees may be responsible for premium payments, recordkeeping, and making distributions according to the trust’s terms. Thoughtful communication with financial advisors and insurance providers is often necessary to avoid administrative mistakes that could undermine the trust’s benefits.

What an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust Is and How It Works

An ILIT is a trust that, once established, typically cannot be revoked or amended by the grantor in ways that would reestablish ownership of the life insurance policy. The trust becomes the legal owner and beneficiary of the policy, and the trustee manages premium payments and policy administration on behalf of the trust’s beneficiaries. The design of the trust determines when and how the proceeds are distributed, whether for income replacement, paying taxes and expenses, or providing legacy gifts. Understanding the trust’s terms, trustee obligations, and interactions with beneficiary designations is vital to achieving the grantor’s goals.

Key Elements and Common Administrative Processes for an ILIT

Critical elements of an ILIT include a clear trust instrument, identification of a trustee and successor trustees, a mechanism for premium funding, beneficiary designations consistent with the trust, and recordkeeping procedures. Common processes include transferring an existing policy to the trust or arranging for the trust to be the owner of a new policy, establishing a funding method for premiums such as gifts to the trust, and maintaining documentation of payments and trust activity. Trustees should also be familiar with tax reporting requirements and how distributions will be handled to meet the grantor’s planning objectives.

Key Terms and Glossary for Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts

This glossary highlights important terms to understand when considering an ILIT, including ownership designation, grantor, trustee, beneficiary, gift tax considerations, and incidents of ownership. Each term relates to how the trust is formed and administered, and the way the policy interacts with estate tax rules. Reviewing these definitions can help you ask informed questions and ensure your documents and administration match your planning goals. Clarity about these terms also aids communication with trustees, beneficiaries, insurance companies, and tax advisors.

Grantor and Trust Creation

The grantor is the individual who creates the trust and funds it with the life insurance policy or the means to acquire a policy. During trust formation the grantor sets the trust terms, chooses a trustee, and specifies beneficiaries and distribution rules. Once the trust is irrevocable, the grantor’s ability to alter ownership or distribution terms is limited, which is often the point of the structure. Understanding what the grantor retains and relinquishes helps determine the trust’s tax treatment and whether the policy proceeds will be included in the grantor’s taxable estate under applicable rules.

Trustee Duties and Administration

The trustee is responsible for managing the trust according to its terms and state law. Duties include ensuring premium payments are made on time, maintaining accurate records, filing any required tax returns, communicating with beneficiaries, and making distributions as directed by the trust instrument. Trustees should avoid actions that could be interpreted as returning incidents of ownership to the grantor, since doing so could change the trust’s intended tax outcome. Selecting trustees who understand these responsibilities or can retain appropriate professional assistance contributes to reliable administration.

Incidents of Ownership and Tax Consequences

Incidents of ownership are the rights or powers that, if retained by the grantor, may cause the life insurance proceeds to be included in the grantor’s estate. Examples include the right to change beneficiaries, borrow against the policy, or surrender the policy for cash. Avoiding retained incidents of ownership at the time the policy is transferred or when a new policy is issued to the trust is essential for the intended estate planning benefits. Proper drafting and administration reduce the risk that the trust will not achieve the expected tax results.

Funding Mechanisms and Gift Tax Issues

Funding an ILIT commonly involves gifting funds to the trust so the trustee can pay policy premiums. These gifts may qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion if structured properly, or they may be subject to gift tax rules depending on the amounts and timing. When assets are transferred to the trust to purchase a policy or pay premiums, considering relevant gift tax exclusions and potential reporting obligations is important. Working with financial advisors and tax counsel helps align funding strategies with tax planning objectives and ensures compliance with reporting requirements.

Comparing Legal Options for Life Insurance and Estate Planning

When deciding whether an ILIT is appropriate, it helps to compare other estate planning options such as owning a policy personally with beneficiary designations, naming a trust other than an ILIT, or using life insurance arrangements through a business entity. Each approach has different implications for estate inclusion, creditor protection, ease of access to proceeds, and administrative complexity. Evaluating these trade-offs in light of your family situation, tax exposure, and long-term intentions helps determine which arrangement aligns best with your overall plan and financial circumstances.

When a Limited Life Insurance Approach May Be Enough:

Small Policy Proceeds and Simple Beneficiary Needs

For some households, a limited insurance approach is appropriate when policy proceeds are modest relative to the overall estate and beneficiaries’ needs are straightforward. If the primary goals are immediate income replacement or covering final expenses without complex distribution conditions, keeping the policy owner as the insured with direct beneficiary designations may be simpler and less costly to administer. This approach reduces legal formalities while providing liquidity at death, though it may not achieve the same estate tax or creditor protection considerations that a trust arrangement could provide.

When Flexibility Is a High Priority

A limited approach can preserve flexibility because the insured retains direct control over the policy, including the ability to change beneficiaries or surrender the policy if circumstances change. For individuals whose financial situation or family circumstances may evolve significantly, this flexibility can be valuable. However, maintaining that control can also mean the proceeds remain within the estate for certain tax purposes or may be reachable by some creditors. Weighing the desire for flexibility against long-term planning goals helps determine whether a more structured trust arrangement is preferable.

When a Comprehensive Trust-Based Solution Is Advisable:

Significant Estate Tax or Creditor Concerns

A comprehensive trust-based solution is often considered when the size of the estate or specific creditor exposure could adversely affect how life insurance proceeds are used by heirs. An ILIT can be structured to keep proceeds from being included in the grantor’s estate and to shield distributions from certain creditor claims, depending on the situation and applicable law. When preserving wealth for future generations or providing a dedicated source of funds for estate taxes and obligations is a priority, the additional structure and administration of an ILIT may be warranted despite the increased complexity.

Complex Family Dynamics or Specific Distribution Objectives

When families have blended relationships, beneficiaries who require protection, or clear reasons to control timing and conditions of distributions, the rules and structure of an ILIT provide tools to meet those objectives. An ILIT can set conditions for distributions, stagger payments, or protect proceeds from beneficiary mismanagement while ensuring funds are available to cover estate-related expenses. Careful drafting creates a predictable framework for handling sensitive interpersonal issues and long-term intentions, which can reduce disputes and make transitions smoother for loved ones.

Benefits of Using an ILIT as Part of a Comprehensive Estate Plan

A comprehensive approach that includes an ILIT can provide clarity and structure for how life insurance proceeds are handled after death. By placing the policy in a trust and specifying trustee powers and distribution rules, grantors can help ensure proceeds are used as intended for paying taxes, providing for minor children, or supporting long-term family goals. The trust also offers a layer of administration that can avoid the immediate transfer of funds to beneficiaries who may be unprepared to manage a large lump sum, enabling more controlled and thoughtful wealth transfer.

Integrating an ILIT with other estate planning documents helps coordinate beneficiary designations, wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives. When documents work together, they create a cohesive plan that addresses both liquidity at death and the orderly transfer of assets. This coordination reduces the risk of unintended consequences, such as conflicting beneficiary designations or administrative delays. A comprehensive plan also anticipates common issues like premium funding, successor trustees, and contingency provisions, promoting continuity and clarity for those who will carry out the grantor’s wishes.

Protecting Proceeds from Estate Inclusion

One of the main reasons clients use an ILIT is to place life insurance proceeds outside of the insured’s taxable estate in appropriate circumstances, which can preserve more value for beneficiaries subject to the rules that apply when transfers and retained rights are handled correctly. The trust structure can remove ownership from the insured while keeping the proceeds dedicated to the family and specific obligations. Ensuring transfers are properly executed and that the trust lacks retained powers that create estate inclusion risks is central to achieving this benefit.

Custom Distribution Rules and Beneficiary Protections

An ILIT allows the grantor to set detailed distribution rules, such as age-based distributions, income-only disbursements, or payments for education and healthcare. These provisions help protect beneficiaries who may not be ready to manage large sums and can safeguard assets from claims by third parties. The trust’s terms can also designate how proceeds should be handled in the event a beneficiary predeceases the grantor, creating a clear mechanism to follow and reducing uncertainty after the grantor’s death.

General Assignment of Assets to Trust in Alamo
rpb 95px 1 copy

Practice Areas

Top Searched Keywords

Practical Tips for Working with an ILIT

Confirm Ownership and Beneficiary Designations

Before transferring a policy to an ILIT, confirm current ownership and beneficiary designations with the insurance company and review policy terms to determine whether an assignment or new policy purchase is the better route. Carefully coordinate beneficiary designations so they match the trust’s intentions and document any gifts made to the trust for premium payments. Clear communication with the insurer and precise paperwork help minimize administrative errors and prevent unintended tax or estate outcomes that could jeopardize the trust’s objectives.

Plan Premium Funding and Gift Reporting

Establish a reliable method for funding premiums, whether through annual gifts to the trust or another arrangement, and understand any gift tax reporting requirements that may apply. Using the annual gift tax exclusion properly can reduce reporting burdens, but larger premium funding strategies may require additional tax planning. Keep careful records of gifts and trust distributions and maintain open communication between trustees and the grantor’s financial advisors to ensure consistent implementation of the funding plan over time.

Choose Trustees and Successors Thoughtfully

Selecting a trustee who can manage policy administration and follow the trust terms is essential. Trustees should be willing to maintain records, handle premium payments, and communicate with beneficiaries. Naming successor trustees and alternate decision-makers ahead of time ensures continuity if a trustee is unable to serve. Consider whether a family member, trusted friend, or professional fiduciary is the best fit for your situation and include provisions for trustee compensation and the ability to engage professional assistance to handle complex administrative or tax matters.

Reasons to Consider an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust

Clients often consider an ILIT when they seek a defined mechanism to handle life insurance proceeds according to a specific plan rather than leaving them to pass directly to beneficiaries without conditions. An ILIT can be used to provide for dependents, pay estate taxes and final expenses, or create a long-term funding source for education or healthcare. This type of planning is particularly relevant when preserving family wealth, avoiding unintended distributions, or addressing concerns about creditor claims or beneficiary protections are among the client’s priorities.

Another reason to consider an ILIT is the opportunity to coordinate life insurance with broader estate planning tools like revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Ensuring that beneficiary designations and trust provisions work together avoids conflicting instructions and reduces administrative friction after a death. Even when an ILIT is not the right fit, discussing life insurance goals within the framework of an overall estate plan helps clarify the best approach for providing liquidity and preserving assets for future generations.

Common Situations Where an ILIT Is Considered

Typical circumstances that lead people to consider an ILIT include concerns about estate tax exposure, desires to protect proceeds from potential creditor claims against beneficiaries, planning for minor or vulnerable beneficiaries, or creating defined distribution rules across multiple generations. Business owners and individuals with concentrated insurance holdings also evaluate ILITs as part of succession and tax planning. Each situation requires tailored analysis to determine whether the trust structure aligns with personal goals and whether the anticipated benefits justify the administrative commitments involved.

Estate Tax Planning Needs

When an estate could be subject to estate taxes or when a client wants to ensure sufficient liquidity to pay estate-related obligations, an ILIT provides a means to hold insurance proceeds outside of the grantor’s estate under appropriate circumstances. Careful planning is needed to avoid actions that could result in estate inclusion, such as retaining ownership rights or transferring a policy within a relevant lookback period. Coordinating the ILIT with an overall tax and estate strategy ensures the trust supports the client’s objective to preserve wealth for heirs.

Providing for Minor or Vulnerable Beneficiaries

Families with young children, beneficiaries with special needs, or loved ones who may require protection from creditors often use an ILIT to provide structured distributions over time. The trust instrument can direct funds to be used for education, healthcare, and living expenses and can appoint trustees who manage the funds prudently on behalf of beneficiaries. Establishing decision-making guidelines and distribution triggers in the trust reduces ambiguity and helps ensure that proceeds are available for intended purposes without exposing funds to immediate mismanagement or claims.

Business Succession and Buy-Sell Funding

In business contexts, life insurance held in a trust can be used to fund buy-sell agreements and provide liquidity for ownership transitions. Using an ILIT to hold policies linked to business owners creates a method to deliver proceeds for purchase obligations or to equalize distributions among heirs when ownership interests are not transferable. Properly structured ILITs can align with succession plans and facilitate smoother transfers of business interests, though integration with corporate agreements and tax planning is essential to achieving the intended outcomes.

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust in Brentwood California

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust Services Near Shadow Hills and Los Angeles County

Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves clients across California, including those in Shadow Hills and the broader Los Angeles area, offering guidance on trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and related estate planning matters. We handle the preparation and administration of irrevocable life insurance trusts, coordinate with insurance companies and financial advisors, and advise on funding and trustee selection. Our goal is to provide clear, practical legal services to help clients implement and maintain an ILIT that aligns with their family and financial objectives, while minimizing surprises and administrative friction.

Why Choose Our Firm for ILIT Planning and Administration

Clients turn to our office when they need careful drafting and thoughtful planning for trust-based life insurance arrangements. We focus on creating documents that reflect a client’s goals and on advising through the funding and ongoing administration process. Our services include drafting trust instruments, preparing assignments or policy transfers, coordinating with insurers, and advising trustees on their duties. We aim to provide practical guidance to help clients avoid common missteps and to ensure trust provisions work in harmony with the rest of the estate plan.

When preparing an ILIT, attention to timing and retained rights is essential to preserve the intended benefits. We counsel clients on transfer timing, methods of funding premiums, and appropriate trustee actions to limit the risk of estate inclusion. We also assist with document updates, successor trustee appointments, and trust administration tasks like recordkeeping and beneficiary communications. Our approach emphasizes clarity and proactivity so that trustees and beneficiaries understand their roles and the trust can function smoothly when it is needed most.

We collaborate with financial advisors and tax professionals as needed to integrate the ILIT with broader planning considerations. Whether the trust is part of a larger estate plan or a targeted tool for life insurance proceeds, we provide recommendations on trustee selection, funding strategies, and administrative best practices. Our goal is to help clients implement an ILIT that meets their objectives while minimizing complications and ensuring a manageable process for those charged with administering the trust after the grantor’s passing.

Contact Our Office to Discuss an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust

How We Handle ILIT Formation and Administration

Our process begins with an initial meeting to understand your estate planning goals, family circumstances, and insurance holdings. We review existing policies and beneficiary designations, assess potential tax and administrative issues, and outline options for funding and trustee selection. After agreeing on a plan, we prepare trust documents, coordinate policy transfers or new policy ownership arrangements, and provide instructions for premium funding and recordkeeping. We remain available to assist trustees with administration and to update documents as life circumstances change.

Step One: Discovery and Planning

The first step is a comprehensive review of your current estate plan, life insurance policies, and financial goals. We gather information about beneficiaries, desired distribution terms, and any special considerations such as minor or disabled beneficiaries. This stage includes explaining the legal mechanics of an ILIT, potential tax timing issues, and trustee responsibilities so you can make informed decisions. Based on this review, we recommend a tailored trust structure and funding approach designed to align with your objectives and provide practical administration.

Information Gathering and Policy Review

During the information gathering phase we obtain copies of existing policies, beneficiary forms, and relevant financial documents. We analyze policy provisions and ownership details to determine whether an assignment or new policy arrangement is the most efficient option. This review helps identify any existing incidents of ownership that could affect the trust’s intended benefits and allows us to design a sequence of steps to place the policy into the ILIT while minimizing adverse consequences.

Designing the Trust and Funding Strategy

After reviewing documents we help you decide on trust terms such as distribution triggers, trustee powers, successor trustee designations, and funding mechanisms for premiums. We consider annual gift strategies, the need for separate bank or escrow accounts, and coordination with financial advisors to ensure a reliable approach to paying premiums. The trust instrument is drafted to reflect your goals, address potential contingencies, and provide clear guidance to trustees and beneficiaries.

Step Two: Trust Implementation

Once the trust terms are finalized we prepare the trust documents for execution and coordinate any required policy assignments or ownership changes with the insurance company. We assist with the transfer or issuance process so the trust becomes the legal owner of the policy and the beneficiary designation aligns with the trust’s provisions. We also provide guidance on initial funding steps and recordkeeping practices to ensure premium payments and trust activities are properly documented from the outset.

Executing Documents and Notifying Insurers

Execution of trust documents typically requires signatures and proper notarization. After the trust is executed, we help prepare assignment forms or take other steps with the insurer to ensure ownership transfers are recorded accurately. Notifying the insurer and obtaining confirmation of the trust’s ownership and beneficiary status prevents misunderstandings and helps establish a clear administrative record. We also advise trustees on initial administrative tasks such as setting up bank accounts and establishing a premium payment schedule.

Establishing Funding and Administrative Procedures

After ownership is transferred, we assist in implementing the agreed funding strategy for premium payments, whether through annual gifts, trust-owned accounts, or other mechanisms. Trustees receive instructions on how to document gifts and maintain records that demonstrate the trust’s funding and administration. These procedures help preserve the intended benefits of the ILIT and make ongoing administration smoother for trustees and beneficiaries alike.

Step Three: Ongoing Administration and Review

Following implementation, the trust requires periodic attention to ensure premiums continue to be paid, records are maintained, and the trustee follows the trust’s distribution and communication obligations. We offer guidance for trustees on tax reporting, beneficiary notices, and contingency planning such as trustee resignations or changes in beneficiary circumstances. Periodic reviews of the trust and related estate documents help keep the plan aligned with changes in law, finances, or family situations.

Trustee Support and Recordkeeping

Trustees should keep accurate records of all trust transactions, premium payments, communications with beneficiaries, and any tax filings. We assist trustees by providing templates and guidance for recordkeeping, help prepare necessary tax forms where applicable, and advise on distributions in accordance with the trust terms. Maintaining organized records protects trustees and reduces the chance of administrative errors that could affect the trust’s objectives.

Periodic Plan Updates and Coordination

Life changes such as births, marriages, divorces, or changes in asset holdings may require updates to the trust or coordination with other estate planning documents. Periodic reviews allow for adjustments to funding strategies, trustee designations, and distribution provisions to reflect current circumstances and goals. We work with clients to keep the ILIT and related plans up to date so they continue to function as intended and continue to align with the client’s wishes over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts

What is an irrevocable life insurance trust and how does it differ from owning a policy personally?

An irrevocable life insurance trust is a trust that owns and is the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Once created and properly funded, the policy is no longer owned by the insured individual, and the trust’s terms control how proceeds will be distributed after the insured’s death. This arrangement differs from owning a policy personally because it can prevent the policy proceeds from being included in the insured’s taxable estate under certain conditions and provide a mechanism for controlled distributions to beneficiaries. Setting up an ILIT requires careful drafting to avoid retained powers or ownership rights that could undermine the trust’s purpose. The trust document designates a trustee to manage the policy and handle premium payments and distributions according to the grantor’s instructions. Coordination with the insurer and clear documentation of transfers and premium funding are essential to maintain the trust’s intended status.

Transferring a policy to an ILIT does not automatically create an income tax event in most cases, but it can create gift tax or estate tax considerations depending on timing and retained rights. If the grantor transfers an existing policy to the trust, a three-year lookback rule may cause the policy proceeds to be included in the estate if the grantor retains certain rights. Properly structuring the transfer and avoiding retained incidents of ownership is important to preserve the intended benefits. It is also important to consider any gift tax reporting requirements when funding the trust to pay premiums. Using the annual gift tax exclusion properly and maintaining clear documentation of gifts and trust activities helps manage potential gift tax consequences and supports compliance with reporting obligations.

Once a policy is owned by an ILIT, the trustee is responsible for making premium payments from trust funds. Grantors commonly make gifts to the trust to cover premiums, often utilizing the annual gift tax exclusion to provide the necessary funds without incurring gift taxes. The trust agreement should set out procedures for accepting gifts and paying premiums to avoid administrative issues or missed payments. Trustees should maintain clear records of all gifts and premium payments and communicate with the grantor and relevant advisors to ensure funding is consistent. Where premium amounts are significant, coordinating with financial advisors to schedule gifts and maintain liquidity supports the ongoing viability of the policy within the trust structure.

Because an ILIT is irrevocable, the ability to change beneficiaries or terms after creation is generally limited and depends on the powers reserved in the trust document and applicable state law. Grantors should carefully consider the trust terms at the outset and include provisions for successor trustees, contingent beneficiaries, and mechanisms for administrative flexibility where appropriate. If changes are necessary later, options may include drafting new documents, using limited power of appointment provisions in the trust, or addressing changes through connected estate planning documents. Before making any changes, consult legal counsel to understand the implications for taxes, ownership, and the trust’s status. Improper attempts to alter retained rights or ownership could unintentionally bring the policy back into the estate or otherwise disrupt the trust’s intended operation.

If premiums are not paid on time the policy may lapse, which could eliminate the insurance coverage and defeat the purpose of the ILIT. Trustees have a duty to manage trust assets and ensure premium payments are made according to the trust’s terms. Establishing reliable funding procedures and contingency plans helps prevent lapses and ensures the trust continues to provide the intended protection for beneficiaries. If a lapse occurs, restoring coverage can be difficult or impossible depending on the insured’s insurability and policy terms. Trustees should act promptly if funding issues arise and consult counsel about options, which may include seeking additional gifts to the trust, borrowing if permitted by the policy and trust terms, or reviewing whether a different funding approach is warranted to maintain the policy.

An ILIT is one component of an overall estate plan and should be coordinated with other documents such as wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts or life insurance must be reviewed to ensure they do not conflict with the trust’s objectives. Coordination reduces the risk of inconsistent instructions and minimizes administrative complications after a death. We recommend periodic reviews of the entire estate plan so that the ILIT and other documents continue to reflect current wishes and financial circumstances. Updates may be needed after major life events like births, marriages, divorces, or significant changes in asset composition to keep the plan aligned and functioning smoothly.

Transferring an existing policy to an ILIT often involves an assignment process with the insurance company and awareness of the three-year lookback rule that can affect estate inclusion. Purchasing a new policy directly owned by the trust avoids that particular lookback concern, but requires careful setup so the trust meets the insurer’s requirements for ownership and premium payment arrangements. Evaluating whether to transfer an existing policy or have the trust acquire a new one depends on age, insurability, policy terms, and timing considerations. Both approaches require coordination with insurers and sometimes evidence of insurability for new policies. Working through the administrative steps up front and documenting the transfer or purchase helps ensure the trust functions as intended and reduces the chances of unintended tax or ownership consequences.

An ILIT can be structured to provide some level of protection for policy proceeds from creditors of beneficiaries in certain contexts, depending on state law and the trust’s terms. By directing proceeds to a trust rather than distributing them outright, the grantor can limit beneficiary access and create distribution conditions that reduce the likelihood that proceeds will be immediately subject to creditor claims. The degree of protection varies based on the trust structure, beneficiary circumstances, and applicable creditor law. Because creditor protection depends on many factors, including timing of transfers and state-specific rules, careful drafting and administration are important. Trustees should follow the trust terms rigorously and avoid distributions that might inadvertently expose proceeds, and grantors should consider complementary asset protection and planning strategies where appropriate.

The three-year lookback rule generally provides that if a grantor transfers ownership of a life insurance policy to a trust and the grantor dies within three years of the transfer, the proceeds may be included in the grantor’s estate under applicable tax rules. This timing consideration often influences whether clients transfer an existing policy or have a newly formed trust purchase a policy outright. Understanding the lookback period is important to avoid unintended estate inclusion of the insurance proceeds. When planning around the lookback rule, it is important to coordinate transfer timing, consider alternative approaches such as direct trust ownership for newly issued policies, and consult tax and legal advisors to assess the potential impact. Proper documentation and administration are also essential to support the intended treatment of the trust and its assets.

Choosing a trustee for an ILIT involves assessing the candidate’s willingness to carry out administrative duties, attention to detail, and reliability. Trustees handle premium payments, recordkeeping, communications with beneficiaries, and may need to consult advisers. Some clients choose a trusted family member or friend, while others prefer a professional fiduciary or corporate trustee when neutrality, longevity, or administrative capacity is a concern. Naming successor trustees ensures continuity if the initial trustee cannot serve. When selecting a trustee consider their familiarity with financial matters, availability, and temperament for making discretionary decisions under the trust terms. Providing clear guidance in the trust instrument about trustee powers, compensation, and the ability to hire professional assistance can make administration smoother and reduce the risk of disputes among beneficiaries.

Client Testimonials

All Services in Shadow Hills

Explore our complete estate planning services