An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, or ILIT, is a common estate planning tool used to manage life insurance proceeds outside of a taxable estate. This page explains how an ILIT can help protect beneficiaries from estate tax exposure, provide liquidity to pay debts or taxes, and control the timing and terms of distributions. Many families use ILITs to safeguard assets for heirs, support a surviving spouse subject to planning constraints, and preserve business succession plans. The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman in the San Jose area assists clients in Strawberry and Marin County with tailored drafting and trust funding strategies to address these goals.
When considering an ILIT, it is important to understand the mechanics of trust ownership, premium payment strategies, and the requirements to remove life insurance proceeds from an estate. This guide will outline the definition of an ILIT, the typical elements and processes involved, and practical comparisons with other estate planning options. We will also describe how our firm approaches client matters, the steps we follow to establish and fund an ILIT, and common scenarios where an ILIT may be appropriate. Our goal is to provide clear information so you can make informed decisions about a potential irrevocable trust.
An ILIT offers several potential benefits for estate planning. By transferring ownership of a life insurance policy into an irrevocable trust, the death benefit may be removed from the insured’s taxable estate, which can reduce estate tax exposure for larger estates. An ILIT can also provide designated liquidity for paying estate administration costs, debts, or taxes without forcing the sale of assets. Trustees can impose distribution rules, preserving assets for younger or vulnerable beneficiaries. Additionally, the trust structure provides privacy and can be tailored to coordinate with retirement plan benefits or family business interests while ensuring that proceeds are used according to the grantor’s intentions.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serve individuals and families throughout San Jose, Strawberry, and surrounding areas in California, providing estate planning services that include irrevocable trust drafting and administration. Our attorney focuses on clear communication, practical solution design, and careful document drafting to align trust provisions with client goals. We assist with policy transfers, trust funding, trustee selection guidance, and coordination with other estate planning documents like wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Clients can expect personalized attention and thorough explanations of options so they can make confident choices for their families.
An ILIT is a trust that owns and controls life insurance policies where the grantor gives up ownership rights by placing the policy into the trust. The trust becomes the policy owner and beneficiary, and the trustee manages policy premiums, distributions, and trust administration according to the trust terms. Because the grantor no longer owns the policy, the death proceeds are typically not included in the grantor’s probate estate, which can provide tax and planning benefits. Establishing an ILIT requires careful drafting and timely funding to ensure the intended estate planning outcomes, including compliance with three-year ownership rules and gift tax reporting if applicable.
Funding and ongoing administration of an ILIT involve practical steps and coordination. The trust document must clearly grant the trustee authority to own policies, receive benefits, and make distributions. Grantors or other contributors may make annual exclusion gifts to the trust to cover premiums, often accompanied by Crummey withdrawal notices when required to qualify for gift tax exclusions. Trustees must keep records, manage premium payments, and coordinate with insurers. Properly drafted documents and consistent administration help preserve the intended benefits of the ILIT and avoid unintended estate inclusion or tax consequences.
An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust is a legal entity created to own life insurance policies on an individual, usually the grantor. The grantor transfers an existing policy or funds for a new policy into the trust. Once the transfer is completed, the trustee controls the policy and is responsible for premium payments, policy management, and distributing the proceeds according to the trust terms after the insured’s death. Because the trust owns the policy, the proceeds can be kept out of the insured’s probate estate if steps are taken correctly. The trust document sets out who will benefit from proceeds, under what conditions distributions will be made, and any protections for heirs.
Important elements of an ILIT include a trustee appointment, named beneficiaries, precise distribution provisions, and instructions for premium funding and administration. The process commonly begins with choosing a trustee and defining the trust’s terms, followed by transferring an existing life insurance policy or directing funding for a new policy. Crummey notice mechanics, annual gift funding, and coordination with the insured’s overall estate plan are typical steps. Trustees must maintain records, remit premium payments timely, and manage any investments or trustee discretionary distributions consistent with the grantor’s wishes and the trust language.
Understanding common terms helps demystify ILIT planning. This section defines words you are likely to encounter such as grantor, trustee, beneficiary, premium funding, and Crummey right. Clear definitions can assist with decision making, especially when coordinating an ILIT with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or retirement accounts. Familiarity with these terms supports better communication with advisors and trustees and helps ensure the trust functions as intended. Review these definitions to prepare for conversations about funding strategies, gift tax reporting, and how life insurance proceeds are distributed and protected under trust provisions.
The grantor is the person who creates the trust and transfers the life insurance policy or funds into the trust. The grantor sets the trust terms, appoints a trustee, and designates beneficiaries. Once the policy is transferred into an irrevocable trust, the grantor typically gives up ownership rights to the policy and cannot revoke the trust. Understanding the grantor role is important for evaluating estate inclusion risks, timing considerations such as the three-year rule, and the coordination of premium funding with other aspects of the grantor’s estate plan to achieve desired outcomes for heirs.
A Crummey right refers to a beneficiary’s temporary right to withdraw contributions made to the trust, which can allow those contributions to qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion. Trustees often provide written notice to beneficiaries when annual premium gifts are made, informing them of their limited withdrawal window. When administered correctly, Crummey notices help the grantor make premium contributions that are treated as completed gifts rather than taxable gifts. Trustees should follow notice and timing procedures carefully to preserve exclusion treatment and avoid unintended tax consequences.
The trustee is the individual or institution responsible for managing the trust and fulfilling its terms. Duties typically include owning the policy, paying premiums, keeping records, issuing trustee notices, and distributing proceeds according to the trust instructions. Trustees have fiduciary duties to act in beneficiaries’ best interests, manage trust assets prudently, and follow the trust document. Choosing a trustee requires consideration of reliability, administration capability, and whether the trustee can coordinate with advisors, maintain accurate records, and execute the grantor’s intentions efficiently upon the insured’s death.
When a policy is transferred to an ILIT, the transfer is generally irrevocable, and a key tax consideration is the three-year rule. If the grantor dies within three years of transferring an existing policy to the trust, the death benefit may be included in the grantor’s estate for estate tax purposes. To reduce this risk, some clients transfer policies well before later-life events or purchase new policies within the trust. Proper planning takes the three-year rule into account and coordinates timing of transfers and premium payments to align with the grantor’s estate planning objectives.
An ILIT differs from other trust options because it focuses on holding life insurance for the benefit of named beneficiaries. Unlike a revocable living trust, an ILIT is typically irrevocable, which affects control and tax treatment. A pour-over will coordinates with living trusts but does not by itself remove life insurance from an estate. For clients who want to preserve liquidity and manage potential estate tax exposure, an ILIT can offer benefits not available through simple beneficiary designations alone. Choosing among alternatives depends on objectives, timeline, asset composition, and whether preserving proceeds outside the probate estate is a priority.
If an individual’s estate falls well below federal and California estate tax thresholds, a limited approach may be sufficient. In such circumstances, using simple beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, paired with a basic will and powers of attorney, can efficiently transfer assets without the complexity of an irrevocable trust. Clients in this situation often prioritize straightforward administration and lower legal costs. However, even with smaller estates, consideration should be given to creditor protection, special needs beneficiaries, or family dynamics that might benefit from additional structure.
When the primary concern is providing short-term liquidity for immediate obligations like funeral expenses or short-term debts, maintaining the policy outside an irrevocable trust can be adequate. Direct beneficiary designation ensures quick payment to intended recipients without trust administration. This option reduces administrative work and legal fees while still delivering funds to pay pressing expenses. Nonetheless, this approach offers less control over long-term distribution, asset protection, and tax planning, so it is important to weigh the trade-offs against the desire for simplicity and rapid disbursement.
For larger estates, business owners, or individuals with multiple assets and potential tax exposure, a comprehensive plan that includes an ILIT can provide meaningful benefits. Such plans consider estate tax implications, liquidity needs for settlement costs, and how life insurance proceeds can preserve family wealth or facilitate business succession. A carefully drafted trust package coordinates beneficiary designations, retirement plan planning, and other trust arrangements to achieve cohesive results. Clients in these circumstances often require a tailored approach to align legal documents with financial strategies and family objectives.
When beneficiaries include minors, individuals with disabilities, or those who may not be prepared to manage a large lump sum, an ILIT can provide structured distributions and oversight. Trust provisions may set age-based distributions, income provisions, or guidance for educational and health expenses while protecting assets from creditors and relationship claims. This structured approach preserves the grantor’s intentions over time, providing safeguards and management controls that simple beneficiary designations cannot. Thoughtful drafting helps balance beneficiary needs with long-term preservation goals and family dynamics.
A comprehensive ILIT strategy can remove life insurance proceeds from an estate, provide liquidity to settle obligations, and set clear distribution rules for beneficiaries. By coordinating trust drafting with other estate planning documents like wills, advance directives, and powers of attorney, clients achieve consistent instructions across their plan. A holistic approach also addresses trustee selection, funding mechanics, and notice processes so the trust will operate as intended. Comprehensive planning allows for contingency provisions and adaptation to changes in family circumstances, tax laws, or asset composition while maintaining the grantor’s core intentions.
Another key benefit of a broad planning approach is the ability to integrate life insurance trusts with business succession and retirement planning. Trust provisions can help preserve family-owned business continuity by providing funds for buy-sell arrangements or taxes without forcing asset liquidation. Integrating ILITs with other trusts and beneficiary designations reduces the risk of conflicting instructions and improves clarity for trustees and administrators. Ultimately, comprehensive planning enhances predictability and control over how life insurance proceeds are used to support heirs and fulfill long-term goals.
An ILIT can be a valuable tool for managing potential estate tax exposure and providing liquidity to pay estate obligations. By removing life insurance proceeds from the taxable estate, an ILIT helps ensure that funds will be available to settle debts, taxes, and administration costs without requiring asset sales. Trustees can tailor distributions to cover immediate estate settlement needs or to hold assets for long-term beneficiary care. Properly coordinated trust drafting and funding preserve intended tax benefits while offering practical liquidity solutions for estate settlement.
Trust language provides the grantor with control over timing, purpose, and conditions of distributions, reducing the likelihood that proceeds are spent contrary to the grantor’s wishes. An ILIT can limit distributions for specific needs, require trustee oversight, or provide staggered distributions over time. This control can protect beneficiaries who are young, have special needs, or face creditor risks. Trustees manage the funds according to set guidelines, ensuring that the proceeds are used in a manner consistent with the grantor’s priorities and long-term objectives.
Timing is important when transferring life insurance into an irrevocable trust due to estate inclusion rules such as the three-year lookback on transfers. Consider whether to transfer an existing policy or to purchase a new policy inside the trust and plan premium funding accordingly. Coordinating transfer timing with other estate plan documents and life events reduces unintended tax exposure and supports the trust’s intended function. Early planning and discussion about premium payment sources and how annual gifts will be handled helps avoid last minute complications during estate settlement.
An ILIT should be part of a broader estate plan that includes wills, powers of attorney, health directives, and any other trusts. Coordination avoids conflicting beneficiary designations and ensures that distributions, tax planning, and successor arrangements work together. Review retirement plan beneficiary designations and ownership documents for consistency with the trust’s goals. Periodic reviews of the entire plan are recommended whenever there are major life changes, asset shifts, or changes to tax law that could affect the ILIT’s effectiveness or administration.
People consider ILITs for several reasons, including the desire to remove life insurance proceeds from an estate for tax planning, to provide liquidity for estate administration, and to control how proceeds are distributed to heirs. An ILIT can also protect proceeds from creditors and provide structured distributions for beneficiaries who may need oversight. For owners of family businesses or real estate, ILIT proceeds can prevent forced sales to pay taxes or debts. Careful planning ensures the trust aligns with broader financial and legacy goals while addressing potential future needs.
Another common reason to use an ILIT is to manage complex family dynamics, such as blended families, special needs heirs, or beneficiaries who might face creditor claims. The trust can include spendthrift provisions and conditions that help preserve funds for long-term support. Additionally, an ILIT can be used to equalize inheritances among children when other assets like real estate or a business are concentrated with one heir. The flexibility of trust drafting allows tailored solutions that reflect personal priorities and create predictable outcomes for beneficiaries.
Typical scenarios that prompt consideration of an ILIT include owning significant life insurance, having a taxable estate, needing liquidity to pay estate taxes, or wishing to protect insurance proceeds from creditors and probate. Business owners often use ILITs to fund buy-sell agreements or maintain continuity without forcing asset sales. Families with minor children, beneficiaries with special needs, or complicated family structures use ILITs for control and protection. Evaluating personal circumstances, estate composition, and long-term objectives helps determine whether an ILIT is appropriate.
When life insurance proceeds are large relative to an estate, placing policies into an ILIT can reduce the likelihood that proceeds will be subject to estate tax. The trust structure also ensures that proceeds are available for estate settlement expenses without liquidating other assets. For clients with concentrated wealth or significant retirement account balances, an ILIT may be one of several strategies to manage potential tax liabilities and preserve family assets for future generations. Thoughtful planning and coordination are essential to secure intended outcomes.
Business owners frequently need liquidity to execute succession plans or to satisfy obligations that arise at death. An ILIT can fund buy-sell agreements, provide cash for successors to purchase interests, or supply the resources necessary to cover estate settlement costs while the business continues operating. Including precise trust provisions and coordinating with business agreements ensures that the life insurance proceeds are used effectively to support continuity and to minimize disruption to operations during transition periods.
Families with beneficiaries who have disabilities, special needs, or issues with creditors may benefit from the protective features of an ILIT. The trust can include spendthrift provisions, structured payout schedules, and instructions that limit access to principal while providing for health, education, maintenance, and support. These protections help preserve funds and ensure they are used according to the grantor’s intentions while reducing the risk of loss through creditor claims or imprudent spending.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides local support for clients in Strawberry, San Jose, and Marin County seeking life insurance trust planning. We assist with drafting ILIT documents, coordinating policy transfers or new policy purchases, advising on funding mechanics, and preparing required notices. Our approach focuses on clear communication and practical solutions tailored to each family’s circumstances. Clients can reach our office by phone to schedule a consultation and to begin organizing the documents and steps necessary to implement an ILIT that aligns with their estate planning objectives.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides hands-on estate planning assistance for clients seeking to implement trusts, wills, and related documents in the Bay Area. We emphasize careful drafting, personalized advice, and practical administration planning so that clients understand how an ILIT will function over time. Our services include coordinating with financial advisors and insurance carriers to facilitate funding and transfers, explaining tax considerations, and preparing trustee guidance to support efficient trust operation after the grantor’s death.
Clients working with our firm receive clear explanations of the legal choices available and assistance in tailoring trust provisions to family needs. We help clients select trustees, draft Crummey notices, and put systems in place for premium payments and recordkeeping. We also consult on coordination with retirement accounts, wills, and healthcare directives to achieve comprehensive estate planning goals. The focus is on delivering practical, durable solutions that reflect the grantor’s intentions and ease the administrative burden for trustees and beneficiaries.
Our office serves families and business owners across San Jose and surrounding communities, providing local knowledge of California law and the procedural steps needed for trust administration. We help clients evaluate whether an ILIT fits their broader plan and prepare the necessary documentation to implement the trust effectively. When circumstances change, we advise on appropriate amendments to related documents and on steps to maintain alignment between an ILIT and the overall estate strategy.
Our process begins with a planning meeting to understand the client’s family situation, assets, insurance holdings, and objectives. We analyze whether transferring an existing policy or purchasing a new policy within the trust best meets the goals, prepare the trust document, and provide instructions for funding and trustee selection. We coordinate with insurers and financial advisors to complete transfers and set up premium funding mechanisms. After the trust is established, we provide guidance to trustees on recordkeeping, notices, and administration to help ensure the trust performs as intended when proceeds are payable.
The first step is a thorough consultation to review client goals, current ownership of life insurance, asset composition, and beneficiary needs. We discuss options for transferring policies or purchasing new ones in the trust, review potential tax implications such as the three-year rule and gift tax reporting, and consider how an ILIT integrates with existing estate documents. This planning phase identifies the preferred strategy, funding sources for premiums, and potential trustee candidates so the drafting phase can reflect clear, workable instructions aligned with the client’s objectives.
During the planning meeting we review current life insurance policies, beneficiaries, and ownership status to determine whether policies should be transferred to the trust or whether new policies should be purchased by the trust. This review includes examining policy terms, cash values, and any loans or restrictions that could affect transferability or tax treatment. Identifying these issues early helps prevent surprises and allows for a smooth transition when the trust is established and funded.
We evaluate how premiums will be paid going forward and whether annual gifts to the trust will utilize the annual exclusion for gift tax purposes. Where appropriate, we prepare procedures for Crummey notices and document the sources of funds for premium payments. This step ensures that funding is structured to support the trust’s ongoing administration without placing undue burden on the trustee or beneficiaries, and it reduces the risk of unintended tax consequences from improper funding methods.
Once the planning decisions are made, we draft the ILIT document with clear trustee powers, distribution rules, and administrative provisions. We prepare transfer documents for existing policies and coordinate with insurers to change ownership and beneficiary designations as necessary. If purchasing a new policy through the trust, we assist with application and acceptance logistics. The drafting step ensures the trust is properly funded and that all supporting documents and notices are in place to implement the plan effectively and reduce the risk of unintended estate inclusion.
The trust document sets out the trustee’s authorities, powers to manage and surrender policies if needed, and instructions for distributions and recordkeeping. We prepare plain language trustee instructions and templates for annual notices when needed. These materials help trustees understand administrative duties and reduce the administrative burden by providing standardized forms and processes for common trust tasks, such as premium payments and beneficiary communications.
We work directly with insurance carriers to effect ownership changes and to confirm that the ILIT is listed as owner and beneficiary in carrier records. For existing policies, this may involve transfer forms and reassignment documentation. For new policies, we assist in the application process through the trust and coordinate acceptance and initial funding. This coordination helps ensure insurer requirements are satisfied and that policies are held correctly in the trust to achieve the intended estate planning treatment.
After establishment, ongoing administration includes managing premium payments, issuing beneficiary notices when required, recordkeeping, and making distributions according to the trust terms. We provide guidance and documentation to trustees to support these tasks, including templates for annual notices and accounting practices. If circumstances change, such as beneficiary needs or funding concerns, we advise on supplemental planning options and coordinate updates to related estate documents to maintain a cohesive plan for the family and the trust’s long-term function.
Establishing reliable premium payment systems is important for the longevity and effectiveness of the ILIT. Trustees should keep detailed records of gifts, payments, notices, and communications with insurance carriers. We can recommend practical systems for tracking payments and maintaining supporting documentation for tax compliance. Clear recordkeeping reduces administrative disputes and provides a transparent history of how the trust was funded and managed over time.
When the insured dies and proceeds are payable, the trustee must file claims with the insurer, manage tax reporting, and distribute funds according to the trust. We provide step-by-step guidance for trustees during claims processing, help prepare documentation for distributions, and assist with any estate or tax reporting issues that arise. This support ensures that proceeds are administered efficiently and in line with the trust’s instructions to minimize delays and confusion for beneficiaries.
An ILIT is a trust that owns life insurance policies with the purpose of controlling how proceeds are distributed and, when structured properly, keeping proceeds out of the insured’s taxable estate. Grantors transfer ownership of policies or fund the purchase of new policies through the trust and the trustee administers the policy, pays premiums, and distributes proceeds to beneficiaries under the trust’s terms. People use ILITs to provide liquidity, support heirs, and achieve tax planning objectives depending on the size and composition of the estate and family needs. Setting up an ILIT involves drafting a trust that permits ownership of the policy, naming a reliable trustee, and handling funding mechanics. It is important to coordinate the ILIT with other estate planning documents such as wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives to create a consistent plan. Good communication and timely administration help make sure the trust functions as intended over the long term.
Transferring a policy to an ILIT can remove the death benefit from the insured’s estate, which may reduce estate tax exposure for larger estates. To obtain this outcome, the policy must be owned by the trust and not the insured at the time of death, and any transfers must be outside the scope of estate inclusion rules. The details depend on the timing of transfers, whether the policy was owned within three years of death, and the grantor’s overall estate composition. Estate tax consequences also depend on other assets that make up the taxable estate and on current tax laws. Effective planning considers potential gift tax reporting, annual exclusion strategies for funding premiums, and coordination with retirement accounts and other trusts. Proper drafting and administration help preserve tax treatment where intended.
Crummey notices are communications given to beneficiaries that inform them of their temporary withdrawal right when a gift is made to the trust. These notices are used to qualify premium contributions as present interest gifts, making them eligible for the annual gift tax exclusion. Beneficiaries typically have a limited window during which they could withdraw the contributed funds, but in practice many do not exercise that right and the trust retains the funds for premium payments. Issuing timely and properly documented Crummey notices is important because failure to follow the notice procedure may jeopardize the gift tax exclusion. Trustees should maintain records of notices and withdrawals to support the administration and tax compliance of the trust and to avoid unintended tax consequences for the grantor.
Choosing a trustee involves balancing reliability, administrative ability, and impartiality. An individual trustee such as a trusted family member may understand family dynamics well, but may face challenges with ongoing administrative tasks. A professional or institutional trustee can offer administrative capacity and continuity, though it may be more costly. Many families choose co-trustees to combine personal knowledge with administrative support. Trust documents should clearly describe trustee powers, compensation, and successor trustee arrangements. Providing plain language trustee instructions and routine templates for notices, recordkeeping, and premium payments can help trustees perform their duties effectively. Discuss potential candidates with your attorney to select a trustee suited to your family’s needs and the trust’s administrative demands.
You can transfer an existing life insurance policy into an ILIT, but there are practical and tax considerations. The transfer generally must be irrevocable and the insurer may require paperwork to change ownership. If the insured dies within three years of the transfer, the proceeds may be included in the estate, so timing matters. Review any policy loans, cash values, or surrender charges before transferring to ensure the terms make sense for the trust structure. In some cases, purchasing a new policy inside the trust is preferable to transferring an existing policy, especially if the three-year rule is a concern. Coordination with the insurer and careful drafting of the trust document are important to make sure the trust owns the policy and that premium funding plans are sustainable for the long term.
If the insured dies within three years of transferring an existing policy to an ILIT, the death benefit may be included in the insured’s taxable estate under the three-year rule. This rule is designed to prevent estate tax avoidance through late transfers and can affect the intended tax benefits of the trust. For this reason, clients often transfer policies well in advance or consider alternative approaches if they are in a later stage of life. When timing is tight, other strategies may be considered, such as having the trust purchase a new policy rather than transferring an older one. Each option has trade-offs related to underwriting, cost, and eligibility. Careful planning and early action help reduce the risk that the three-year rule will undermine the ILIT’s objectives.
Premiums for a policy owned by an ILIT are commonly funded by annual gifts from the grantor to the trust. When those gifts qualify as present interest gifts through Crummey notices, they may fall within the annual gift tax exclusion. The trustee uses those gifts to pay policy premiums and maintain coverage. Establishing a reliable funding mechanism is vital to avoid policy lapse and to preserve the trust’s benefits for beneficiaries. Trustees should maintain accurate records of gifts and premium payments, and follow procedures for issuing notices when required. If funding sources change, the trustee and grantor should review the trust provisions and consider appropriate modifications to ensure continuity of premium payments and the ongoing effectiveness of the trust.
An ILIT can be drafted to provide for a beneficiary with special needs while protecting their eligibility for public benefits, but careful drafting is required. The trust should be designed to provide supplemental support rather than primary support, and to avoid counting as a resource that would affect means-tested benefits. Coordination with an attorney familiar with benefit rules can help structure distributions appropriately and include provisions such as supplemental needs language and discretionary distribution powers. Additionally, trustees should be given clear guidance on permitted uses of trust funds, documentation practices, and coordination with public benefit programs. Regular review of both the beneficiary’s circumstances and applicable benefit rules helps ensure the trust continues to operate in a manner that supports the beneficiary without jeopardizing critical benefits.
Placing a policy in an ILIT can offer protection from creditors for trust assets, depending on the trust terms and applicable law. When the trust owns the policy and controls distributions, proceeds are distributed under the trustee’s discretion and may be shielded from beneficiary creditors if spendthrift provisions are included. However, protections vary by jurisdiction and by the type of creditor claim, so it is important to design trust provisions with creditor considerations in mind. Trust drafting should consider potential claims, divorce proceedings, or government liens and include provisions to strengthen asset protection when appropriate. Trustees should also be mindful of distribution strategies and legal limitations that may affect the degree of protection available to beneficiaries from creditor claims.
Reviewing an ILIT and related estate planning documents periodically is recommended, especially after major life events like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in assets. Changes in tax law or family circumstances can alter the effectiveness of existing provisions, so periodic review helps maintain alignment with current goals. Regular reviews also ensure funding arrangements remain sustainable and trustee arrangements remain appropriate. Many clients schedule reviews every few years or when important milestones occur. During a review, consider whether beneficiary designations remain accurate, whether premium funding methods are still viable, and whether trustee arrangements should be updated. Ongoing attention helps preserve the intended benefits of the trust over time.
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