An irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) can be a powerful tool for managing life insurance proceeds and reducing estate tax exposure for Mill Valley families. This guide introduces how an ILIT works, when it may be appropriate, and the kinds of provisions you can include to protect beneficiaries and maintain asset privacy. We explain common documents and decisions you will face when establishing an ILIT, and how the trust fits into a broader estate plan that may include wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. The goal is to help you make informed decisions tailored to your family’s circumstances.
Choosing to create an ILIT involves careful consideration of funding, beneficiary designations, trustee selection, and tax timing. An ILIT removes ownership of a life insurance policy from your taxable estate, but to achieve this result you must complete the legal and administrative steps correctly and maintain the trust’s independence from the insured’s estate. This introductory section provides clear explanations about funding mechanisms, gifting strategies, and trustee responsibilities so you understand how an ILIT functions over time and how it supports long-term family planning and financial goals in Marin County and beyond.
An ILIT offers practical benefits such as potential reduction of estate tax exposure, creditor protection for life insurance proceeds, and greater control over how proceeds are distributed to beneficiaries. When properly structured and funded, an ILIT keeps life insurance proceeds outside of the insured’s taxable estate, preserving more wealth for loved ones. It also allows the creator to set terms for distribution, appoint trustees to manage assets, and provide for special circumstances such as minor beneficiaries or family members with disabilities. The result is a tailored plan that aligns insurance proceeds with your long-term goals while improving predictability and privacy for the family.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serve clients across Marin County, including Mill Valley, offering careful legal guidance on trust and estate planning matters. Our approach focuses on listening to family priorities, explaining options in plain language, and drafting documents that reflect practical goals such as preserving assets, minimizing tax exposure, and protecting beneficiaries. We handle a wide range of estate planning instruments, from revocable living trusts and pour-over wills to irrevocable life insurance trusts and special needs trusts. Clients receive clear guidance on funding, trustee duties, and ongoing administration to ensure plans operate as intended over time.
An ILIT is a trust created to own and control life insurance policies for the benefit of named beneficiaries. When properly established and funded, the ILIT becomes the owner and beneficiary of one or more life insurance policies, separating the policy proceeds from the insured’s estate. This separation can reduce estate tax exposure and simplify distribution of proceeds after death. Establishing an ILIT requires careful drafting to address trustee powers, distribution timing, and interactions with gift tax and estate tax rules. Proper administration includes gift transfers to the trust for payment of premiums and clear recordkeeping to maintain the trust’s intended status.
Funding and maintaining an ILIT involves steps such as transferring an existing policy to the trust or having the trust purchase a new policy, making taxable or gift-tax exclusion gifts to the trust for premium payments, and ensuring the insured does not retain incidents of ownership that would pull the policy back into the estate. Trustees must follow fiduciary duties to manage trust assets and distribute proceeds according to the trust terms. Understanding these processes helps ensure the ILIT’s benefits are preserved and that beneficiaries receive the intended protection and support without unintended tax consequences.
An irrevocable life insurance trust is a trust that owns life insurance policies and is written so the grantor cannot revoke or alter it unilaterally. Legal principles that govern ILITs include ownership transfer rules, gift tax reporting when premiums are paid to the trust, and the requirement that the insured cannot retain incidents of ownership. If the insured retains ownership rights or controls the policy in certain ways, the policy proceeds may be included in the taxable estate. Proper drafting and administration create a legal separation between the insured and the policy to achieve estate planning objectives while conforming to federal and state tax rules.
Key elements of an ILIT include the trust agreement, trustee appointment, beneficiary designations, trust funding provisions for premium payments, and distribution powers. Typical processes include drafting the trust document, transferring an existing policy to the ILIT or having the trust acquire a new policy, implementing gifting strategies to fund premiums, and coordinating beneficiary designations and trust administration. Trustees must maintain records, provide notices when required, and follow distribution instructions. Attention to timing and compliance with tax rules is essential to preserve the intended estate planning benefits and avoid unintended inclusion of policy proceeds in the estate.
Understanding terminology helps you navigate ILIT planning and administration. This glossary outlines common terms such as grantor, trustee, beneficiary, incidents of ownership, gift tax, estate tax, and trust funding. Clear definitions reduce confusion when reviewing documents or discussing options. Knowing these terms enables you to ask focused questions about how a trust will be funded, who will manage it, and how distributions will be handled. A firm grasp of key terms also clarifies the legal and administrative steps needed to preserve the ILIT’s benefits and protect your family’s financial interests.
The grantor is the person who creates and funds the trust by transferring assets or ownership rights into the trust. In the ILIT context, the grantor is typically the insured who establishes the trust to hold life insurance policies. Once an ILIT is created and properly funded, the grantor usually gives up the legal right to control or revoke the trust to ensure the policy proceeds are not included in the taxable estate. The trust document sets out the grantor’s intentions, the trust’s terms, and how the trustee should manage and distribute proceeds for the benefit of named beneficiaries.
Trustee powers describe the authorities granted to the person or entity responsible for administering the trust. In an ILIT, trustee powers commonly include the ability to accept policy ownership, pay premiums using trust funds, manage trust investments, make distributions to beneficiaries, and hire advisors or agents to assist with administration. The trust document can limit or expand trustee powers depending on the grantor’s goals. Trustees owe fiduciary duties to beneficiaries and must act in their best interests while following the terms of the trust and applicable law.
Incidents of ownership refer to legal rights over a life insurance policy that, if retained by the insured or grantor, can result in the policy proceeds being included in the insured’s taxable estate. Examples include the right to change beneficiaries, surrender the policy for cash, or borrow against the policy. For an ILIT to accomplish estate planning goals, the insured must avoid retaining incidents of ownership after transferring the policy to the trust. Proper drafting and administration ensure these rights are transferred to the trustee and not retained by the grantor.
Gift tax refers to federal tax rules that may apply when the grantor gives money to the trust for premium payments. To qualify contributions for the annual gift tax exclusion, many ILITs use withdrawal powers known as Crummey powers that give beneficiaries a limited period to withdraw contributions. Trustees typically provide Crummey notices to beneficiaries to preserve exclusion treatment. Proper notice and recordkeeping are important to support tax positions and maintain the effectiveness of the gifting strategy used to fund premium payments.
When evaluating whether an ILIT is right for you, compare its features with alternatives like keeping a policy in your estate, using a revocable living trust, or naming individual beneficiaries directly. An ILIT typically provides greater estate tax protection for policy proceeds, while keeping a policy in your estate may be simpler but could increase tax exposure. Revocable living trusts offer flexibility but do not remove policy proceeds from the estate if the insured retains ownership. Understanding trade-offs, costs, and administrative responsibilities helps determine which approach best aligns with family goals and financial circumstances.
A limited approach, such as maintaining a life insurance policy with individual beneficiary designations or including the policy in a revocable living trust, may be suitable when estate tax concerns are minimal and family goals are straightforward. If the expected proceeds will not push the estate into a higher tax bracket, the administrative complexity of an ILIT may not be necessary. A simpler structure can reduce trustee obligations and ongoing compliance. Discussing anticipated policy proceeds and overall estate value helps determine whether a limited approach is appropriate for your household in Mill Valley.
Maintaining ownership of a policy or using a revocable trust preserves flexibility to change beneficiaries, adjust policy terms, or access cash values if needed during your lifetime. For those who prioritize ongoing control over insurance assets and the ability to respond to changing family circumstances, a limited approach can provide adaptability. However, the trade-off is that retaining control may affect estate tax outcomes and creditor exposure. Evaluating how much control you wish to keep versus how much protection you want for beneficiaries helps inform the choice.
Comprehensive planning is often advisable when family circumstances are complex or estate values are substantial enough that tax exposure and creditor risk are major concerns. A full review of assets, liabilities, retirement accounts, and life insurance allows for coordinated strategies combining ILITs, revocable trusts, wills, and special purpose trusts. This integrated approach improves alignment between policy ownership, beneficiary protections, and long-term financial goals. Clear, proactive planning reduces the risk of unintended tax consequences and ensures that beneficiaries are supported in a way that reflects the grantor’s priorities.
When an ILIT will play a central role in long-term family support, working through a comprehensive plan helps define trustee duties, investment guidelines, distribution triggers, and reporting requirements. Trustees may need guidance on premium payments, gift tax filings, and providing notices to beneficiaries. A coordinated planning process also addresses related documents like pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives so that all instruments operate together. Ongoing administration protocols reduce uncertainty and help ensure the ILIT functions as intended over time.
A comprehensive approach aligns life insurance planning with wills, trusts, retirement accounts, and powers of attorney to create a cohesive plan that addresses taxes, liquidity, and family needs. Coordinated planning helps ensure that policy proceeds are available to pay estate taxes or provide for survivors without disrupting long-term wealth preservation. It also allows careful selection of trustees and provisions to accommodate unique family circumstances such as blended families, beneficiaries with special needs, or beneficiaries who may need spending protections. Clarity in documents and responsibilities reduces disputes and administrative burdens when the time comes.
Comprehensive planning often provides greater certainty that your intentions will be fulfilled and reduces the administrative friction for those left to manage your affairs. By integrating ILITs with broader estate plans, you can use multiple documents in tandem to control distributions, fund trusts for specific needs, and maintain privacy. This approach also anticipates potential future changes in tax law or family circumstances and can include flexibility where appropriate while maintaining the safeguards needed to preserve the plan’s primary goals over time.
A well-structured ILIT can provide liquidity to pay estate obligations and leave beneficiaries with tax-efficient proceeds, reducing the need to liquidate other assets. When combined with other planning tools, it helps ensure funds are available immediately to cover debts, taxes, and final expenses. This liquidity prevents family members from needing to sell property under duress and can preserve long-term holdings for future generations. Thoughtful coordination of trust terms and funding strategies enhances the financial security of beneficiaries while respecting the grantor’s wishes.
Comprehensive trust planning allows you to tailor distribution timing and conditions to the needs of beneficiaries, providing oversight that protects inheritances from mismanagement or creditor claims. Trust provisions can limit access until beneficiaries reach certain ages, tie distributions to milestones, or provide ongoing support for education or healthcare. Special purpose trusts can address unique needs such as special needs planning or pet care. These protections preserve the value of the inheritance and help ensure proceeds are used in a way that aligns with the grantor’s intentions.
Make sure ownership of the life insurance policy and the listed beneficiary align with ILIT funding goals. If an existing policy is transferred to the trust, update beneficiary designations and confirm that the trust is properly named as owner and beneficiary. Misalignment between policy ownership and trust documents can undermine the intended estate planning benefits and create tax or administrative complications. Clear documentation and timely updates during the transfer process help maintain the separation between the insured and the policy required for the ILIT to work as planned.
Choose a trustee who understands their duties and will follow the trust’s distribution provisions and administrative rules. A trustee does not need to manage investments personally but should have access to competent financial and tax advice and be willing to keep beneficiaries informed as required. The right trustee will help ensure premium payments are made on time, tax notices are prepared, and distributions follow the grantor’s intent. Consider successor trustees and instruct them on recordkeeping and communication protocols to maintain continuity over the life of the trust.
Families consider an ILIT for several reasons, including preserving life insurance proceeds from estate taxation, providing liquidity for heirs, and protecting proceeds from creditor claims. An ILIT can be particularly valuable for households with significant life insurance policies that could otherwise increase estate tax exposure. It also allows for tailored distributions to beneficiaries and can coordinate with other estate planning tools to address complex family situations such as second marriages or special needs planning. Many clients appreciate the predictability and privacy ILITs can provide at the time of settlement.
An ILIT is also useful when policy proceeds are intended for specific purposes like paying estate settlement costs, supporting minor children, funding education, or providing for family members with limited financial capacity. Establishing a trust that receives the proceeds ensures those funds are managed according to clear rules and can prevent unintended results such as immediate lump-sum distributions that may not reflect your long-term wishes. Careful planning aligns insurance benefits with broader legacy goals to better secure the financial future of your loved ones.
Common circumstances that prompt consideration of an ILIT include high life insurance coverage relative to estate size, blended family arrangements, beneficiaries with special needs, or the desire to provide long-term oversight of proceeds. Individuals concerned about estate taxes, creditor risk, or ensuring controlled distributions for younger beneficiaries often use ILITs. Business owners who want to use insurance to provide liquidity for business succession may also employ ILITs as part of a broader strategy. Each situation benefits from tailored drafting and administration to meet unique family and financial goals.
When life insurance proceeds are large compared to the rest of an estate, including the policy in the insured’s estate can increase estate tax exposure and force difficult choices for heirs. An ILIT can remove the policy from the taxable estate when ownership and incidents of ownership are transferred properly and the trust is funded correctly. For families facing potential estate tax liability, an ILIT can preserve more of the estate’s value for beneficiaries and ensure that insurance proceeds are available for intended uses without being subject to estate administration constraints.
Parents and grandparents often want to ensure that policy proceeds are distributed in a way that supports long-term welfare rather than immediate consumption. An ILIT allows the grantor to create distribution schedules, milestone-based releases, or ongoing support structures that reflect the family’s values. This approach helps protect inheritances for younger beneficiaries who may not be ready to manage large sums. Clear trust provisions and an attentive trustee can provide a balance between support and protection for beneficiaries as they mature.
An ILIT can provide a measure of protection from creditor claims and poor financial decisions by placing proceeds under trustee control with distribution terms that limit direct access. This can be beneficial for beneficiaries who may face creditor claims, litigation risk, or other financial vulnerabilities. By maintaining ownership and distribution within a trust structure, the grantor can reduce the likelihood that insurance proceeds are immediately available to creditors or squandered. Trust provisions can be drafted to preserve benefits while addressing potential external threats to inheritance.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provide legal guidance for clients establishing or administering ILITs in Mill Valley and nearby communities. We help with drafting trust documents, coordinating transfers of ownership, designing funding strategies for premiums, preparing necessary notices, and advising trustees on their duties. Whether you are creating an ILIT for the first time or managing an existing trust, our goal is to make the process clear, efficient, and aligned with your family’s objectives. We also coordinate related estate planning instruments to ensure the full plan functions as intended.
Clients choose our firm for thoughtful planning, careful drafting, and practical administration guidance tailored to local needs. We combine experience in trust law with an emphasis on clear communication so clients understand how ILIT provisions will operate and what responsibilities trustees will assume. Our process involves reviewing existing plans, recommending cohesive strategies that integrate ILITs with other estate planning documents, and documenting instructions to support trustees and beneficiaries. We focus on delivering plans that address tax, family, and liquidity concerns in a clear, manageable way.
We work closely with clients to evaluate whether an ILIT aligns with their objectives and to design trust terms that reflect family priorities. Our firm assists with coordinating transfers of existing policies, establishing new trust-owned policies, and setting up gifting strategies for premium payments. We also prepare the documentation and notices trustees need to maintain the trust’s intended tax treatment and provide ongoing advice on administration questions. This hands-on support reduces uncertainty and helps keep the plan functioning smoothly over many years.
Our team offers practical guidance to trustees and beneficiaries about recordkeeping, premium payment procedures, and how to respond to tax or administrative inquiries. We help clients identify appropriate successor trustees and provide clear instructions for communications and distributions. By anticipating common administration questions and documenting procedures, we reduce the risk of disputes and ensure the trust’s objectives are more likely to be met. This planning helps beneficiaries receive the support envisioned by the grantor without unnecessary delay or confusion.
Our process begins with an in-depth intake to understand family goals, asset profiles, and existing estate planning documents. We then recommend a structure that aligns with those goals, draft the trust documents, coordinate transfers or policy purchases, and prepare any necessary notices or gift tax filings. After the trust is established, we provide onboarding for trustees and support for ongoing administration tasks. We aim to make each step clear and manageable so that the plan functions as intended and trustees have the guidance they need to fulfill their duties.
During the planning and preparation phase we evaluate your existing estate documents, insurance policies, and financial goals. We identify whether an ILIT is appropriate given your estate composition, desired protections, and liquidity needs. This stage includes discussing trustee selection, distribution priorities, and funding strategies. After developing a recommended structure, we prepare the trust agreement and related documents in a form that reflects your instructions while addressing tax and administrative considerations to preserve the ILIT’s intended benefits.
In an initial review and strategy session we gather information about current policies, beneficiaries, estate values, and family dynamics. This conversation helps identify whether transferring existing policies or purchasing trust-owned policies best serves your objectives. We also address how premium payments will be funded and whether Crummey notices or other mechanisms are appropriate. By understanding the full picture at the outset, we can recommend a practical structure and prepare documents that reduce the risk of unintended tax consequences or administrative challenges.
Once the strategy is agreed upon, we draft the ILIT agreement and prepare clear funding instructions for transferring policies or acquiring new coverage. The documents define trustee powers, distribution provisions, and guidelines for recordkeeping and beneficiary notices. We also prepare any ancillary forms and coordinate with insurance carriers or financial advisors to implement ownership changes. Clear drafting and documentation at this stage are essential to preserve tax benefits and set expectations for future administration.
Implementation focuses on transferring ownership of policies to the trust or purchasing new trust-owned policies, making the initial gifts for premium funding, and providing Crummey notices where required. This phase includes confirming that the trust is properly named with the insurer, signing transfer forms, and documenting gifts so the trust can pay premiums. Attention to timing and proper documentation is important to prevent incidents of ownership from causing the proceeds to be included in the insured’s estate.
Coordination with insurance carriers and financial institutions is a key part of implementation. We assist with completing transfer forms, confirming beneficiary and owner designations, and ensuring the insurer recognizes the trust as the new owner. If the trust is purchasing a policy, we coordinate applications and underwriting steps. Proper coordination minimizes administrative delays and helps ensure the trust is set up as intended to receive policy proceeds and pay premiums over time.
During funding, trustees and grantors implement gift strategies to provide funds for premium payments and document those gifts for tax purposes. If Crummey withdrawal powers are used to qualify gifts for the annual exclusion, trustees provide notices to beneficiaries and keep records of those communications. We advise on appropriate tax filings and recordkeeping so the trust’s tax treatment is supported. Clear funding procedures reduce the risk that the policy proceeds will be unexpectedly included in the estate.
Once the ILIT is funded, trustee onboarding and ongoing administration ensure the trust operates as intended. Trustees must manage premium payments, document gift receipts, provide beneficiary notices as required, and follow distribution instructions in the trust agreement. We help trustees understand their duties, prepare sample notices and recordkeeping templates, and provide consultation on investment or distribution questions. Ongoing attention preserves the ILIT’s benefits and allows for orderly management of proceeds when the time comes.
We provide trustees with practical guidance on maintaining records, tracking premium gifts, and documenting communications with beneficiaries and advisors. Good recordkeeping demonstrates compliance with tax rules and supports the trust’s administration. Trustees receive templates for notices, checklists for premium payments, and instructions for coordinating with tax professionals. This support reduces uncertainty and helps trustees carry out their duties with clarity and consistency over the long term.
When a claim arises, trustees must manage the process of filing insurance claims, receiving proceeds, and making distributions according to trust terms. We assist with claim-related documentation, coordination with beneficiaries, and executing distribution provisions consistent with the trust’s instructions. Timely and thoughtful administration at this stage ensures beneficiaries receive the intended support, and that the trust closes or continues as designed. Our goal is to reduce administrative friction and protect the plan’s objectives during a sensitive time.
An irrevocable life insurance trust is a trust created to own life insurance policies and receive proceeds for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. Once established and properly funded, the trust becomes the owner and beneficiary of the policies, which can keep the proceeds separate from the insured’s taxable estate. The trust document sets the terms for how proceeds are distributed, who serves as trustee, and what powers the trustee has to manage funds and provide for beneficiaries. To work as intended, the ILIT must be drafted so the insured no longer retains incidents of ownership over the policy. Funding typically involves gifting money to the trust for payment of premiums or transferring an existing policy into the trust. Trustees then manage premium payments, provide required beneficiary notices, and carry out distributions in accordance with the trust’s instructions.
Funding an ILIT most commonly involves either transferring an existing life insurance policy into the trust or having the trust purchase a new policy. Once the trust owns the policy, the grantor makes gifts to the trust so the trustee can pay premiums. Many ILITs use annual exclusion gifting to fund premiums, which may involve withdrawal rights for beneficiaries for a limited period to qualify for the exclusion. Trustees should maintain clear records of gifts and premium payments, and provide notices to beneficiaries when required. Proper documentation supports the intended tax treatment of gifts and demonstrates that the trust is operating as designed. Coordination with your financial and tax advisors helps ensure funding is executed correctly and complies with reporting rules.
Transferring an existing policy to an ILIT can have tax implications if the transfer occurs too close to the insured’s death or if the insured retains incidents of ownership. Federal estate tax rules may include policy proceeds in the estate if incidents of ownership are retained. To avoid this, transfers should be completed well in advance and the insured should refrain from retaining ownership rights that could trigger estate inclusion. There may also be gift tax considerations when making contributions to the trust for premium payments. Utilizing annual gift tax exclusions and maintaining proper records often mitigates gift tax exposure. Consulting with a tax advisor during the transfer and funding process helps identify and address potential tax consequences.
Because an ILIT is irrevocable, the grantor generally cannot unilaterally change beneficiaries or trustee powers after the trust is signed. However, the trust can include provisions that allow for limited flexibility, such as naming a trustee with authority to manage certain distributions or providing mechanisms to replace trustees. In some cases, trust terms may allow for trust decanting or other legal methods to modify provisions under applicable law. If significant changes are required, parties may explore modification options available under state law, which could include consent-based changes or court-approved modifications. These processes should be approached carefully and with legal guidance to preserve tax treatment and respect the original intentions where possible.
An ILIT can protect life insurance proceeds from estate taxes when ownership and incidents of ownership are transferred away from the insured and the transfer is completed within appropriate timeframes. By removing the policy from the insured’s taxable estate, proceeds payable to the trust are generally not subject to estate tax. This can preserve more of the policy’s value for beneficiaries, particularly in larger estates. Regarding creditor protection, proceeds held in a properly structured trust may be shielded from creditors of individual beneficiaries depending on trust terms and applicable law. The trust structure places management and distribution control with the trustee, reducing the likelihood that proceeds are immediately available to satisfy creditor claims against individual beneficiaries.
A Crummey notice is a written notification given to trust beneficiaries informing them of a gift made to the trust and their temporary right to withdraw that gift within a limited period. These notices are commonly used to allow gifts to the ILIT to qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion. By providing beneficiaries the right to withdraw for a short time, contributions can often be treated as present interest gifts eligible for the exclusion. Trustees should maintain records that notices were delivered and note whether any beneficiary exercised withdrawal rights. Proper use of Crummey notices and careful recordkeeping help support the tax treatment of gifts and are an important administrative step when relying on annual exclusion contributions to fund premiums.
Business owners sometimes use ILITs to hold life insurance intended to provide liquidity for business succession, buy-sell agreements, or to protect family interests after the owner’s death. Using an ILIT for business-related policies can separate proceeds from the owner’s estate and provide a clear mechanism for distributing funds to family or business beneficiaries according to trust terms. The approach depends on the company structure and the owner’s goals for succession and liquidity. Coordinating ILIT planning with business counsel and financial advisors is important to ensure that the trust’s terms align with buy-sell agreements and tax objectives. Different strategies may be appropriate depending on whether the policy funds buyouts, supports heirs, or provides estate liquidity, so careful planning ensures the intended result.
The timeline to create and fund an ILIT varies based on whether an existing policy is transferred or a new policy is purchased, and on the complexity of the trust terms. Drafting the trust document and completing initial planning steps can often be done in a few weeks, while transferring an existing policy may require coordination with insurers and could take additional time. Purchasing a new policy may involve underwriting and waiting periods that extend the process. Funding the trust with annual exclusion gifts and delivering any required Crummey notices is an ongoing administrative task. For transfers to achieve desired estate tax treatment, completing the transfer well before the insured’s death is important. Early planning and timely execution reduce the risk of unintended tax consequences and give trustees clear procedures to follow.
Trustees should maintain documentation that supports premium gifts, beneficiary notices, and trustee decisions. Records commonly include copies of Crummey notices, evidence of funds transferred to the trust for premium payments, insurance carrier communications, and logs of distributions or trustee actions. Accurate recordkeeping supports the trust’s tax position and provides transparency to beneficiaries and advisors. Trustees may also need to prepare or coordinate tax filings related to gifts and keep contact information for beneficiaries and advisors. Clear templates and procedures for notices and payments simplify ongoing administration. Consistent recordkeeping reduces disputes and makes it easier for successor trustees to continue administration when needed.
An ILIT works alongside other estate planning documents such as revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives. Pour-over wills can direct assets to a revocable trust at death, and powers of attorney and healthcare directives address decision-making during life. Because an ILIT is separate and irrevocable, its terms govern life insurance proceeds independently of a revocable trust or will, provided the ownership transfer was executed properly. Coordinating all documents ensures consistency in beneficiary designations and distribution intentions. A comprehensive review helps identify conflicts, confirm that beneficiary designations align with trust terms, and ensure that trustees have the information and documents needed to administer the ILIT in harmony with the broader estate plan.
Criminal Defense
Homicide Defense
Manslaughter
Assault and Battery
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Battery Causing Great Bodily Injury
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Order
Arson Defense
Weapons Charges
Illegal Firearm Possessions
Civil Harassment
Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
School Violence Restraining Orders
Violent Crimes Defense
Estate Planning Practice Areas