An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) can be an important component of a thoughtful estate plan for Sunland residents who want to control how life insurance proceeds are held and distributed outside of their taxable estate. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman we help clients evaluate whether an ILIT aligns with their overall goals, such as reducing potential estate tax exposure, protecting proceeds from probate, or ensuring assets are managed for beneficiaries according to specific instructions. We explain legal options plainly, outline potential impacts, and develop plans that reflect each client’s unique family, financial, and long-term care concerns.
Choosing an ILIT involves several practical and legal considerations that affect how life insurance benefits are received and administered. We walk clients through trustee selection, funding mechanisms, timing of transfers, and how trust terms can preserve value for heirs. Establishing an ILIT may also involve coordination with retirement planning and other trust arrangements such as pour-over wills or special needs trusts, depending on your household and financial circumstances. Our approach focuses on clear communication, responsive planning, and creating documents that support your wishes while addressing California law and local factors relevant to Sunland families.
An ILIT can preserve the value of life insurance proceeds for beneficiaries while keeping those proceeds out of an individual’s probate estate, which may simplify settlement and maintain privacy. For families concerned about estate tax considerations, an ILIT can be a tool to separate proceeds from taxable assets and help maintain liquidity for paying settlement costs or supporting heirs. Trust terms may also control distributions to minors or disabled beneficiaries, fund long-term care costs, or provide for educational needs. We help clients weigh the administrative requirements and trustee responsibilities against the potential lifetime and post-death advantages an ILIT offers for prudent transfer planning.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides estate planning services tailored to families, business owners, and individuals across California, including Sunland and Los Angeles County. Our practice focuses on creating durable, well-drafted documents such as revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and specialized trusts including ILITs, special needs trusts, and pet trusts. We emphasize careful listening, practical guidance, and coordinated planning that aligns trust terms with clients’ broader financial and caregiving objectives. Clients rely on us to prepare clear documents, explain procedural steps, and coordinate with financial advisors and insurance agents to ensure plans operate as intended.
An ILIT is a separate trust entity established to own a life insurance policy or to receive policy proceeds upon the insured’s death. Because the trust owns the policy and the insured no longer holds ownership rights, proceeds paid to the trust generally avoid probate and may be kept out of the insured’s taxable estate, depending on timing and structure. The trustee manages trust assets, follows distribution instructions, and can provide liquidity for estate settlement or ongoing beneficiary support. Establishing an ILIT requires careful timing of transfers and coordination with existing beneficiary designations to ensure the intended tax and estate planning results are realized.
Setting up an ILIT involves selecting a trustee, drafting trust provisions, and deciding whether the trust will acquire a new policy or receive an existing policy through a transfer. Gifts to the trust may be needed to cover premium payments, and those gifts can be structured to qualify for applicable gift tax exemptions. The trust document should specify how proceeds are allocated, how distributions are made, and what powers trustees have regarding investments and administrative expenses. We guide clients through these choices, explain reporting obligations, and help implement handling of premium funding to minimize unintended tax consequences.
An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust is a legal arrangement in which the trust holds title to a life insurance policy or receives the policy proceeds at death and distributes them according to the trust’s instructions. The insured relinquishes ownership and incident of control to the trust, which removes the policy proceeds from their probate estate if transfers are completed in accordance with relevant laws. The trust’s provisions can protect proceeds from creditor claims, control timing and form of beneficiary distributions, and preserve assets for long-term needs. Proper drafting and funding are essential to align the trust with tax rules and family objectives.
Typical steps for creating an ILIT include drafting the trust instrument to define trustee powers, beneficiary rights, distribution standards, and administrative terms. The insured or grantor transfers an existing policy to the trust or the trust is named owner and beneficiary of a new policy. Funding arrangements must be structured so that premiums are paid, often through annual gifts to the trust or other arrangements that comply with gift tax rules. The trustee is responsible for managing policy payments, maintaining records, and ensuring distributions follow the trust terms. Ongoing review is recommended to coordinate with changes in family, financial status, and insurance contracts.
Understanding the terminology used in trust and life insurance planning helps clients make informed decisions and communicate effectively with trustees and advisors. Common terms include trustee duties, grantor, beneficiary designation, gift tax exemptions, Crummey withdrawal powers, and insurable interest considerations. Each term relates to how ownership, control, and benefits are allocated and how tax and legal rules apply. We provide plain-language explanations and practical examples to clarify how these concepts affect the structure and outcomes of an ILIT, ensuring clients understand trade-offs and ongoing responsibilities under California law.
The trustee is the individual or entity appointed to manage trust assets, including any life insurance policy owned by the trust, and to carry out the distribution instructions in the trust document. Trustees administer premium payments if necessary, handle tax and reporting duties for the trust, and must act in accordance with fiduciary obligations defined by the trust and applicable law. Trustee selection should consider availability, financial understanding, and willingness to follow the grantor’s provisions, and contingency trustees should be named to ensure continuity in administration when needed.
A beneficiary is a person or entity designated to receive trust distributions or policy proceeds under the terms of the ILIT. The trust document can specify beneficiaries by class or name and can set conditions for when and how distributions are made, such as for education, health needs, or income support. Proper beneficiary designation and alignment with trust provisions are essential to ensure the insured’s intent is honored and that proceeds are distributed in a manner that meets family goals while minimizing disputes and administrative delays after the insured’s death.
The grantor, sometimes called the settlor, is the person who establishes the trust and transfers ownership of the life insurance policy or directs that a new policy be owned by the ILIT. By transferring ownership to the trust, the grantor gives up direct control over the policy, which can achieve specific estate planning goals. The grantor’s actions, including timing of transfers and premium funding, affect whether the policy proceeds are treated as part of the grantor’s estate under applicable tax and property rules, so careful planning and clear documentation are essential.
A Crummey withdrawal power is a provision that allows trust beneficiaries a limited, temporary right to withdraw gifts made to the trust so those gifts can qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion. When properly implemented, these powers help ensure that premium contributions used to pay policy premiums are treated as present interest gifts and may be excluded from taxable gifts for transfer tax purposes. The trust document should specify notice procedures and withdrawal timeframes so the strategy functions as intended under gift tax rules.
An ILIT is one of several tools available to achieve distinct estate planning goals. A revocable living trust provides flexibility and control during life but does not remove life insurance proceeds from the taxable estate if the insured retains ownership. A pour-over will coordinates assets with a trust but does not by itself address insurance ownership. Special needs trusts and guardianship nominations serve different beneficiary protection objectives. Choosing between options requires assessing the client’s priorities for control, tax planning, probate avoidance, and beneficiary needs. We help compare these approaches in practical terms and suggest coordination strategies to achieve a coherent plan.
For some individuals with straightforward estates and modest insurance holdings, avoiding probate can be achieved through beneficiary designations and a pour-over will that directs assets into a revocable trust without creating an ILIT. This approach can limit administrative steps while still providing orderly transfer and avoiding the need to transfer policy ownership. If potential estate tax exposure is low and family dynamics are uncomplicated, a focused plan that uses existing beneficiary mechanisms and a revocable trust may accomplish key goals with fewer structural changes and less administrative burden than an ILIT would require.
A revocable arrangement keeps decision-making flexibility, allowing policy changes, beneficiary updates, or policy exchanges during life without the formalities of an irrevocable structure. For clients who expect changes in family, business, or financial circumstances, preserving the ability to modify arrangements can be valuable. Keeping insurance ownership in a revocable format allows the insured to respond to life events, new tax laws, or changing goals, and may be preferable where the priority is adaptability rather than removing proceeds from the taxable estate or imposing post-death distribution controls.
A comprehensive planning approach ensures that life insurance ownership, beneficiary designations, trust provisions, and funding mechanisms work together rather than creating conflicts or unintended tax consequences. For example, premium funding strategies and gift tax planning need careful coordination to preserve the desired estate treatment, and trustee powers must be aligned with distribution goals. By addressing these areas together, clients can reduce the risk of probate complications, beneficiary disputes, or unanticipated tax results, creating a smoother transition and clearer administration at the time benefits are paid.
When families have blended relationships, beneficiaries with disabilities, business interests, or larger estates that may face tax exposure, comprehensive planning can tailor solutions that balance protection, liquidity, and control. A comprehensive plan can integrate an ILIT with other trusts such as special needs trusts or retirement plan trusts to meet varied objectives without undermining beneficiaries’ eligibility for public benefits. This holistic view helps ensure each document supports a unified strategy for wealth transfer, caregiving responsibilities, and asset protection consistent with California law and personal priorities.
A comprehensive estate plan that incorporates an ILIT can provide enhanced control over how life insurance proceeds are used, offer creditor protection in many situations, and simplify the post-death administration process by avoiding probate for those proceeds. Coordinated planning can also ensure there are funds available to settle debts, taxes, and expenses without forcing liquidation of other assets. Clear instructions for trustees and alignment with beneficiary needs promote predictability and reduce the likelihood of family disputes, preserving the long-term value of the insurance benefits for their intended purpose.
Beyond immediate administrative advantages, a coordinated plan can support long-term family goals such as funding education, providing lifetime income to a surviving spouse, or supplementing care for a beneficiary with special needs without disrupting benefit eligibility. Integrating an ILIT with revocable trusts, wills, and powers of attorney enables a consistent approach to asset management and succession planning. Periodic reviews keep the plan aligned with changes in law, family dynamics, and financial circumstances, ensuring the arrangement continues to serve the client’s objectives over time.
By placing a life insurance policy in an ILIT, policy proceeds are typically received by the trust rather than passing through probate, which can reduce administrative delay and public disclosure of personal financial details. This structure can also provide liquidity to pay estate settlement costs and avoid forced sales of other assets. Clear trust terms direct how proceeds are to be used and distributed, which can protect intended legacies and assist in orderly wealth transfer to future generations without additional probate steps.
An ILIT can be tailored to provide for beneficiaries who need structured distributions, protection from creditors in many scenarios, or managed support over time. When coordinated with other planning tools, such as special needs trusts or guardianship nominations, an ILIT can help preserve public benefits while providing supplemental funds. The trust can limit distributions for specific purposes, set age-based distribution triggers, or establish reserve funds for medical or educational needs, offering a degree of financial stewardship and predictability for heirs.
When creating an ILIT, it is important to coordinate policy ownership and beneficiary designations carefully so the intention to have the trust receive proceeds is effective. If beneficiary designations list an individual rather than the trust, or if ownership is not properly transferred, the intended estate and tax results may not be achieved. Clear documentation and communication with your insurance provider, trustee, and any financial advisors help ensure the trust holds or receives the policy as planned, and that premium payments are funded in a manner consistent with gift tax rules and long-term planning goals.
Selecting a trustee who can manage administrative tasks, keep accurate records, and follow the trust’s distribution instructions is a key step when implementing an ILIT. Trustees should understand how to handle premium payments, tax filings, and beneficiary communications, or be able to enlist professional administrative support when necessary. Clearly drafted trust provisions that address trustee compensation, successor trustees, and specific distribution standards reduce ambiguity and help ensure the trustee acts in line with the grantor’s intent while maintaining orderly trust administration over time.
Residents of Sunland and the surrounding Los Angeles County area may consider an ILIT to address concerns about probate avoidance, preserving insurance proceeds for heirs, or coordinating insurance with broader estate tax and wealth transfer strategies. An ILIT can help ensure that policy proceeds are available to pay settlement costs or provide long-term support according to the grantor’s directives. For families with specific distribution goals or beneficiaries who require managed support, an ILIT can offer control and structure that standard beneficiary designations do not provide, improving predictability and reducing administrative friction after the insured’s death.
People with complex family situations, business succession concerns, or larger estates that need liquidity may find that an ILIT aligns well with those needs by providing separated ownership and carefully defined distribution rules. In addition, individuals who want to protect proceeds from competing claims or who want to provide for ongoing needs without altering eligibility for certain benefits can integrate an ILIT with other trust arrangements, like special needs trusts. Thoughtful planning, timely funding, and consistent documentation help realize these potential benefits while addressing California law and local considerations.
Common circumstances where clients consider an ILIT include when life insurance proceeds need to be kept out of probate, when beneficiaries require managed distributions, or when estate liquidity is necessary to cover taxes and settlement costs. An ILIT may also be appropriate for those who want to place insurance proceeds beyond reach of potential creditors or to protect assets for future generations. Business owners and individuals with significant retirement assets may use an ILIT as part of a strategy to preserve value and ensure orderly distribution that aligns with succession planning and family objectives.
When the goal is to avoid the delay and public nature of probate for policy proceeds, an ILIT can be structured so the trust receives the benefits directly and administers distributions in accordance with the trust instrument. This approach can reduce administrative complexity at the time of death and preserve privacy for beneficiaries. Establishing the trust and ensuring proper ownership or beneficiary designation in compliance with policy and tax rules are essential steps to achieving this objective and should be completed well before an anticipated need to avoid probate arises.
Families who want to control how proceeds are distributed to beneficiaries—such as providing staged payments, funding education, or protecting assets for recipients with particular needs—often find an ILIT offers tailored distribution mechanisms. The trust document can set limits on disbursements, specify purposes for distributions, and include oversight measures to safeguard funds. These structures can be particularly beneficial for providing for minors, supporting a surviving spouse over time, or protecting inheritances for beneficiaries who may face creditor issues or benefit eligibility concerns.
Individuals with business interests, significant retirement savings, or estates that may be subject to tax planning considerations may integrate an ILIT into a broader succession or estate planning framework. An ILIT can provide liquidity for estate settlement, support buy-sell arrangements, or create designated resources for heirs without compromising other estate settlement mechanisms. Coordination among trust documents, buy-sell agreements, and ownership transitions helps ensure that life insurance proceeds serve the intended role in business continuity and family legacy planning.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves Sunland and neighboring communities in Los Angeles County, providing estate planning services tailored to local families and circumstances. We assist clients in establishing ILITs, revocable living trusts, last wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives, taking into account California legal requirements and personal priorities. Our office helps clients organize documents, communicate intentions to trustees and family members, and coordinate with insurance agents to confirm ownership and beneficiary designations. We strive to make planning understandable and practical so clients feel confident their plans will function as intended.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman offers focused estate planning services that guide clients through the legal and administrative steps necessary to implement an ILIT and related documents. We emphasize clear drafting, careful coordination with insurance providers, and practical strategies that reflect each client’s family circumstances and legacy goals. Our work includes preparing trust instruments, advising on premium funding, and coordinating trustee roles so plans operate smoothly at the time of need while addressing relevant California law and policy considerations.
Clients benefit from our straightforward communication about the trade-offs involved in trust ownership of life insurance, including timing considerations and funding approaches that affect estate treatment. We provide written checklists, review insurance forms, and help implement notice procedures to preserve tax advantages where applicable. In addition, we coordinate with financial professionals and insurance agents to confirm the transfer of ownership or beneficiary designations is completed according to the plan, reducing the risk of unintended consequences.
Our firm supports clients through both the planning and administrative stages, assisting trustees with recordkeeping, distributions, and required filings when requested. We also assist with updates as family circumstances or law changes necessitate revisions, helping maintain the plan’s effectiveness over time. For Sunland residents seeking a deliberate and coordinated approach to life insurance and estate planning, we provide clear guidance and practical implementation services geared to achieving each client’s goals.
Our process begins with a detailed intake to understand your family, financial holdings, insurance policies, and legacy objectives. We then recommend whether an ILIT is appropriate, outline funding strategies for premium payments, and draft trust documents that reflect your distribution wishes and trustee authorities. We coordinate transfers of policy ownership where necessary, advise on beneficiary forms, and prepare notices or Crummey withdrawal templates when applicable. Finally, we review the entire estate plan for consistency and schedule periodic reviews to ensure the arrangement continues to meet your needs.
During the initial consultation we review existing insurance policies, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents to determine how an ILIT would fit into your current arrangements. We ask about family dynamics, potential tax considerations, and priorities for distribution so that recommendations are tailored to your specific situation. This stage focuses on identifying any potential conflicts or unintended consequences of transferring policies to a trust and outlining the administrative steps and timing required to achieve your goals while complying with legal and policy requirements.
We collect details about life insurance policies, policy ownership, premium amounts, and any existing beneficiary designations to assess whether a transfer to an ILIT is advisable. Reviewing these items early helps identify whether a new policy purchase or transfer of an existing policy is needed and whether premium funding mechanisms should be established. Understanding the full financial picture enables us to recommend funding plans and trustees that can administer the trust effectively, ensuring the ILIT functions as intended within the broader estate plan.
We discuss client goals such as probate avoidance, tax planning, or structured distributions and assess timing factors, including any three-year lookback rules that can affect estate inclusion for transferred policies. Clarifying these goals and timelines helps determine the appropriate approach to ownership transfers, gift strategies, and whether creating a new trust or transferring an existing policy is preferable. Early attention to timing and documentation reduces the risk of unintended estate inclusion or other adverse results.
After agreeing on the plan, we draft the ILIT document with provisions tailored to your distribution objectives, trustee duties, and funding approach. We prepare trust instruments that specify how proceeds will be managed and distributed, name trustees and successor trustees, and outline notice and withdrawal procedures if annual gift strategies are used. We also coordinate the steps necessary to transfer ownership or establish a new policy owned by the trust and provide guidance on funding premium payments to sustain the policy based on your chosen approach.
The trust document sets forth trustee responsibilities, distribution standards, investment authority, and provisions for successor trustees. Clear administrative provisions, including how to handle premium payments and recordkeeping, reduce ambiguity and assist trustees in carrying out their duties. We ensure the terms reflect your intentions for beneficiary support, creditor protection where appropriate, and long-term stewardship, while also addressing notice procedures required for gifting strategies and compliance with applicable tax rules.
We prepare the necessary assignments or change-of-owner forms for insurance carriers and confirm beneficiary designations align with the trust’s role. For existing policies, formal transfer documents may be required, and for new policies we work with agents to name the trust as owner and beneficiary. Properly documenting these steps ensures the trust receives the intended benefits and avoids potential conflicts that could arise if forms were left inconsistent with the trust instrument.
Following implementation, the trustee administers premium payments, maintains trust records, provides beneficiary notices, and manages distributions per the trust instructions. We offer support to trustees on administrative matters, review annual funding procedures, and assist with any necessary tax filings. Periodic reviews are recommended to verify the trust remains aligned with family circumstances, insurance policy status, and any changes in law, so the ILIT continues to achieve the intended results and to address any updates that may be necessary over time.
We assist trustees with ongoing administrative tasks such as tracking premium payments, documenting gifts used to fund premiums, and preparing notices to beneficiaries when required. Good recordkeeping helps demonstrate compliance with trust terms and tax rules and makes the eventual distribution process more efficient. Trustees may also consult with us regarding discretionary distributions, creditor inquiries, or policy adjustments to ensure actions remain consistent with the grantor’s intentions and legal requirements.
Life changes such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or major financial events can affect the suitability of trust provisions and beneficiary arrangements, so periodic reviews are important. We recommend reviewing the ILIT and related estate planning documents on a regular basis or when circumstances change to confirm premium funding, policy status, and distribution instructions remain aligned with goals. We also coordinate updates to trust documents and beneficiary forms to reflect new circumstances and ensure continuity in the overall plan.
An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust is a trust entity designed to own a life insurance policy or to receive policy proceeds upon the insured’s death. The trust becomes the legal owner of the policy, removing ownership from the insured’s estate if transfers comply with applicable timing rules. The trustee administers the policy, handles premium payments when funded, and distributes proceeds according to the trust terms, which can include directives for income, education, healthcare, or other specified purposes. Establishing an ILIT involves drafting a trust instrument that specifies trustee duties and distribution standards, coordinating ownership and beneficiary designations with the insurance carrier, and arranging funding for premiums. The process requires attention to transfer timing and potential tax considerations to achieve the intended estate planning goals and to ensure the trust receives the benefits as planned.
An ILIT can help reduce the portion of the insured’s taxable estate that includes life insurance proceeds by placing policy ownership in a trust. When ownership is transferred and the trust is properly structured, the proceeds paid to the trust generally do not form part of the insured’s probate estate, which can reduce probate-related taxes and administrative burdens. However, timing is important: transfers made within certain lookback periods may still result in estate inclusion under applicable rules. Whether an ILIT reduces estate taxes in your specific case depends on your overall estate size, applicable exemptions, and the timing of transfers. It is important to consider the entire estate plan and consult with counsel to determine whether an ILIT aligns with your goals and how it interacts with other planning strategies to address tax considerations.
Once a policy is owned by an ILIT, the trust must have the means to pay premiums to keep the policy in force. Common approaches include annual gifts from the grantor to the trust that are used to pay premiums, with notice and limited withdrawal rights provided to beneficiaries to qualify the gifts for the annual gift tax exclusion. The trust can receive scheduled gifts, and the trustee pays premiums from trust funds in accordance with the trust document. Properly documenting premium contributions and following notice procedures for any withdrawal powers is important to preserve the intended tax treatment of the gifts. We help clients set up funding mechanisms and prepare templates for notices or administrative steps so premium payments are sustainable and consistent with the ILIT structure.
A trustee should be someone who is willing and able to perform administrative tasks, keep accurate records, and follow the trust’s distribution provisions. Options include a trusted family member, a friend with financial acumen, or a corporate trustee. Selecting a trustee who understands the responsibilities or who can engage professional administrative assistance is important to ensure premium payments, recordkeeping, and beneficiary communications are handled properly. Successor trustees should also be named to provide continuity if the original trustee is unable or unwilling to serve. Clear guidance within the trust regarding trustee powers, compensation, and fiduciary duties helps the trustee fulfill the role and reduces the potential for disputes or administrative missteps that could undermine the trust’s objectives.
An ILIT can be combined with other trust arrangements to provide for beneficiaries who receive public benefits by offering supplemental support without directly affecting benefit eligibility. For example, structuring distributions or coordinating with a properly drafted special needs trust can allow funds to be used for quality-of-life enhancements while preserving benefit eligibility. The trust terms should be drafted to respect the specific rules that govern public benefits to avoid unintended disqualification. Careful planning and coordination are required to ensure distributions are made in a way that supports beneficiaries without compromising access to governmental programs. We work with clients to integrate an ILIT with special needs planning and to draft provisions that reflect both caregiving goals and benefit preservation considerations.
Crummey powers are limited withdrawal rights given to beneficiaries for a short period after a gift is made to the trust, which can allow those gifts to qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion as present interest gifts. These powers require that beneficiaries be notified of their withdrawal right and that the withdrawal window be honored if exercised. When implemented correctly, Crummey powers are a common mechanism used to fund ILIT premiums in a tax-efficient manner. The administrative requirements, such as sending timely notices and tracking withdrawal windows, must be followed to preserve the tax treatment. We provide documentation templates and guidance for trustees on how to administer Crummey notices and recordkeeping to support the intended gift tax outcomes.
Transferring an existing policy to an ILIT is possible, but timing matters because transfers made within certain lookback periods prior to the insured’s death may be included in the estate for tax purposes. Clients should consider whether to transfer ownership of an existing policy or to have the trust purchase a new policy owned by the trust, depending on timing and tax objectives. Proper documentation of the transfer and coordination with the insurance company are necessary to ensure the trust becomes the legal owner of the policy. Evaluating the timing, potential premium funding, and the policy’s terms helps determine the best approach. We assist clients in weighing these options and implementing the transfer or new policy purchase in a way that aligns with their planning goals and minimizes unintended consequences.
An ILIT should be integrated with other estate planning documents such as revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to ensure a cohesive plan. For example, a pour-over will can move assets into a revocable trust, and powers of attorney ensure financial matters are handled during incapacity, while the ILIT separately holds insurance proceeds. Coordination prevents conflicting beneficiary designations or contradictory distribution instructions and helps ensure each document supports a unified plan for asset management and succession. Regular coordination between the ILIT and other documents is important when life events occur or policies are updated. We review plans for consistency, update beneficiary forms as needed, and help adjust trust provisions to reflect changes in family, finances, or law so the entire estate plan functions smoothly together.
If a trustee fails to manage the trust properly, including failing to pay premiums, beneficiaries or interested parties may seek legal remedies such as removal of the trustee or a court order requiring proper administration. Trustees have duties to act in accordance with the trust terms and applicable fiduciary standards, and failure to fulfill those duties can lead to liability. Choosing a trustee who understands responsibilities or providing for professional administration can reduce the risk of mismanagement and ensure premiums are maintained to keep the policy in force. Proactive steps such as clear trust provisions, successor trustee designations, and access to professional support mitigate the risk that administrative failures will undermine the trust’s purpose. We assist trustees and beneficiaries with administrative questions and, if necessary, help resolve disputes in a way that protects trust assets and beneficiaries’ interests.
Periodic review of an ILIT and related estate planning documents is recommended to ensure they remain aligned with family circumstances, insurance status, and legal changes. Reviews should occur after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, changes in financial circumstances, or when insurance policies are modified. Regular reviews help confirm funding strategies remain viable and that beneficiary designations continue to reflect the grantor’s intentions. We typically recommend scheduling reviews on a periodic basis and whenever significant events occur, so the ILIT and broader estate plan remain effective. During reviews, we assess trustee arrangements, confirm premium funding mechanisms, and update documents where necessary to preserve the trust’s intended outcomes and to address any changes in law or family needs.
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