An irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) can be a powerful component of an estate plan for San Pasqual residents who want to manage life insurance proceeds outside of their taxable estate. This page explains how an ILIT works, common uses, and what to consider when creating one. The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assists California families with clear, practical guidance about trust formation, trustee responsibilities, funding mechanisms, and coordination with wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives. We focus on helping you protect policy proceeds, provide liquidity for your estate, and preserve family continuity while complying with California law and federal tax considerations.
Choosing to create an ILIT involves important decisions about who will hold the trust, who will receive benefits, and how the trust will be funded and managed over time. This guide walks through the benefits and limitations of an ILIT, the steps to set one up, and how it works alongside other estate planning documents such as revocable trusts, pour-over wills, and powers of attorney. We highlight practical considerations for San Pasqual families, including how an ILIT can aid in estate tax planning, creditor protection for beneficiaries, and avoiding probate delays that might otherwise affect the distribution of life insurance proceeds.
An ILIT can offer significant advantages when integrated into a broader estate plan. By removing life insurance proceeds from the insured’s taxable estate, an ILIT may reduce estate tax exposure and provide immediate liquidity to meet expenses after death. An ILIT also gives the grantor control over how proceeds are distributed, laying out specific terms for beneficiaries and allowing for staggered distributions or ongoing financial management. For families with minor children, special needs family members, or business succession concerns, an ILIT can help preserve assets and create orderly transitions that align with your wishes and California rules.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assists individuals and families in San Pasqual and throughout California with creating tailored estate plans that reflect personal goals and state law. Our approach emphasizes clear communication and practical solutions, guiding clients through choices about trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. We focus on careful drafting, funding strategies, and coordinating documents to reduce the chance of disputes or unintended tax consequences. Clients rely on our practical legal guidance to design plans that protect family assets and ensure a smooth transfer of wealth when the time comes.
An ILIT is a trust that owns one or more life insurance policies and is structured so that the policy proceeds are paid to the trust upon the insured’s death. Because the policy is owned by the trust rather than the insured, the proceeds are generally excluded from the insured’s probate estate for federal estate tax purposes, provided certain timing and transfer rules are met. Creating an ILIT involves selecting a trustee, establishing distribution rules, and funding the trust with premium payments. Coordination with existing retirement plans, beneficiary designations, and other estate documents is essential to achieve intended results.
Funding an ILIT typically requires the grantor to transfer ownership of a policy or to have the trust purchase a new policy and to make gifts to the trust to cover premiums. Some ILITs use limited withdrawal rights or Crummey notices to satisfy gift tax rules while preserving trust control. Because an ILIT is irrevocable, the grantor gives up direct ownership and control of the policy, which provides certain asset protection and tax benefits but also means the terms cannot be easily undone. Proper planning helps ensure the trust is funded and administered as intended.
An irrevocable life insurance trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee holds one or more life insurance policies for the benefit of named beneficiaries. The trust document sets out how premium payments will be made, who may receive income or principal, and any conditions for distributions. Because the grantor relinquishes ownership, the policy proceeds may pass to beneficiaries without being included in the grantor’s taxable estate, subject to timing rules. The trustee has fiduciary responsibilities to administer the trust, make distributions according to the trust terms, and manage any investments held within the trust for the benefit of beneficiaries.
Creating an ILIT involves drafting a trust agreement, selecting a trustee, transferring or acquiring life insurance policies in the name of the trust, and funding the trust to pay premiums. The trust should include clear distribution instructions, provisions for successor trustees, and administrative guidelines for reporting and accounting. Advisors will often coordinate beneficiary designations, trustee powers, and tax filings. It is important to consider timing rules that affect estate inclusion, such as the three-year rule for transfers of existing policies, and to implement strategies to ensure gifts to the trust qualify for annual exclusion if that is part of the funding plan.
Understanding the terminology used with ILITs helps you make informed decisions. This glossary covers fundamental terms such as grantor, trustee, beneficiary, and common planning mechanisms like Crummey withdrawals and pour-over wills. Clear definitions make it easier to discuss options with your legal advisor and ensure that trust documents reflect your objectives. Knowing how each term affects control, tax treatment, and administration of the trust can prevent misunderstandings and align expectations among family members and fiduciaries.
An irrevocable life insurance trust is a trust that owns life insurance policies and is designed so that policy proceeds are paid to the trust for the benefit of named beneficiaries. The trust is drafted to prevent the policy proceeds from being included in the insured’s taxable estate, subject to certain transfer and timing rules. Because the trust is irrevocable, the grantor relinquishes direct control over the policy ownership and premium payments. The trustee manages the trust assets and follows the distribution instructions in the trust instrument according to California law and federal tax requirements.
The trustee is the individual or institution appointed to manage the trust assets, including holding the life insurance policy, ensuring premiums are paid if the trust is funding the policy, and making distributions to beneficiaries as set out in the trust document. The trustee has fiduciary duties to act in the best interests of beneficiaries, to keep accurate records, and to communicate with beneficiaries as required. Successor trustee provisions should be defined to ensure continuity in administration in the event the original trustee cannot serve.
The grantor is the person who creates the trust and transfers property or rights to it, such as ownership of a life insurance policy or funds to pay premiums. By placing a policy into an irrevocable trust, the grantor gives up ownership and certain controls over that asset. The grantor must consider the tax and legal consequences of such transfers, including gift tax implications and federal estate tax timing rules. Proper legal drafting helps the grantor achieve planning goals while complying with applicable rules.
A Crummey withdrawal power allows beneficiaries a temporary right to withdraw gifts made to the trust, and the grantor provides notice of that right. When used properly, these powers can qualify gifts to the trust for the annual gift tax exclusion, making premium contributions more tax-efficient. Trustees typically provide written notices to beneficiaries when contributions are made, and beneficiaries usually elect not to withdraw so that funds remain in the trust for long-term management. Documentation and careful administration are important to maintain the intended tax treatment.
An ILIT is one approach among several for managing life insurance and estate liquidity. Alternatives include retaining a policy in one’s own name, naming individual beneficiaries directly, or integrating a policy with a revocable living trust. Each approach carries different tax, control, and creditor protection outcomes. Keeping a policy in your name can be simpler but may expose proceeds to estate inclusion. Naming beneficiaries directly is straightforward but leaves less control over post-death use of proceeds. An ILIT offers control and potential tax advantages but requires irrevocable transfers and careful administration.
If life insurance coverage amounts are modest and beneficiaries are straightforward adults with no special circumstances, retaining a policy in your own name or naming beneficiaries directly can be adequate. For many families, the simplicity of direct beneficiary designations or a revocable trust arrangement reduces administrative complexity and cost. These choices can facilitate quicker distributions and fewer formalities, while still providing for immediate financial needs at the time of death. Consider whether the additional cost and administration of an ILIT are justified by your estate planning goals and the size of your estate.
For individuals with smaller estates that fall well below federal and state estate tax thresholds, the tax advantages of an ILIT may be less meaningful. If probate costs and delays are minimal relative to the value of the estate, a more limited arrangement may be appropriate. In those situations, the focus may be on ensuring beneficiary designations are up to date and coordinating insurance proceeds with existing testamentary documents rather than creating an irrevocable structure. Legal guidance can help confirm that a simpler path meets family and financial objectives without unnecessary complexity.
When estate values, business interests, or complex family dynamics create potential tax exposure or disputes, comprehensive planning that includes an ILIT can provide more control and structure. Coordinated documents such as irrevocable trusts, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations ensure that assets are distributed according to your wishes while addressing tax and creditor concerns. Thoughtful planning helps maintain family stability, protect vulnerable beneficiaries, and provide liquidity for estate settlement and tax obligations.
When beneficiaries include minor children, individuals with disabilities, or others who may require ongoing financial oversight, an ILIT can be structured to provide controlled distributions and professional management of funds. Combining an ILIT with special needs planning, guardianship nominations, or trust provisions tailored to individual circumstances can preserve public benefits and ensure long-term care and support. A careful legal plan can provide for day-to-day needs while preserving important benefits and reducing the risk of mismanagement or unintended disqualification of benefits.
A comprehensive approach to estate planning coordinates an ILIT with wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to create a cohesive plan. This reduces the risk of conflicting instructions and helps ensure life insurance proceeds serve intended purposes such as paying estate taxes, supporting a surviving spouse, or providing for minor children. Coordinated planning also makes administration smoother for fiduciaries and provides clarity for beneficiaries about how and when funds will be used, increasing the likelihood that the grantor’s wishes are followed.
Working through all planning documents allows families to set priorities, name appropriate trustees and guardians, and create fail-safes like pour-over wills or certification of trust for custodial needs. It also enables consideration of creditor protection strategies and the use of supplemental trusts when needed. A coordinated plan helps minimize the potential for probate delays and can reduce the overall burden on surviving family members at a difficult time, while addressing both tax and non-tax objectives that are specific to each household.
An ILIT lets the grantor set detailed terms for how insurance proceeds will be managed and distributed, enabling protections such as staggered distributions, spendthrift provisions, or ongoing financial oversight. These provisions can prevent misuse of funds, protect beneficiaries from creditors, and ensure support for specific needs over time. Clear trust provisions reduce ambiguity, which can lower the risk of family disputes and help trustees follow a defined plan when managing assets and making distribution decisions on behalf of beneficiaries.
By placing life insurance ownership in an irrevocable trust, policy proceeds are generally excluded from the grantor’s taxable estate, subject to applicable timing and transfer rules. This structure can help provide liquidity to cover estate settlement costs without increasing estate tax exposure. Additionally, properly structured trusts may offer a degree of protection from certain creditor claims against beneficiaries. While no arrangement eliminates all risk, a thoughtfully drafted ILIT can address specific concerns and preserve more of the estate for intended heirs.
Before creating an ILIT, identify the primary objectives for the trust such as tax efficiency, beneficiary protection, or funding business succession. Gather all existing policy information, beneficiary designations, and related estate planning documents to ensure consistent implementation. Clear documentation helps avoid unintended tax consequences and ensures that ownership transfers and premium funding align with your goals. Discuss timing considerations and any gift tax implications so the trust can be funded correctly and in a way that fits your broader financial and family objectives.
Regularly review the trust and its funding to confirm premium payments are current and that beneficiary notices, if required, are issued properly when gifts are made. Maintain records of contributions, notices, and trustee actions. Effective communication with beneficiaries and co-fiduciaries can reduce surprises and potential conflicts over time. Periodic reviews of the trust in light of life events, changes in law, or shifts in family circumstances help ensure the ILIT continues to meet its intended purpose within your comprehensive estate plan.
Many individuals consider an ILIT to manage how life insurance proceeds are treated for estate tax and creditor protection reasons, and to provide clear direction for beneficiaries. An ILIT can offer a mechanism to ensure liquidity for estate administration, business succession, or support for surviving family members. It can also help limit direct access to funds for beneficiaries who may be young or have special needs, while providing structured oversight. Thoughtful ILIT planning can be particularly valuable for households with substantial life insurance holdings, business interests, or blended family situations where control of distributions is important.
Other motivations to use an ILIT include protecting proceeds from potential future creditor claims against the decedent’s estate, preserving eligibility for public benefits for a beneficiary with disabilities, and providing a clear funding source for estate taxes or debts. Because an ILIT requires irrevocable transfers, it is important to weigh the long-term implications against the anticipated benefits. An informed planning process ensures the trust structure supports your goals while aligning with state and federal rules.
Circumstances that often lead people to consider an ILIT include large life insurance policies that could increase estate tax exposure, business owners who need liquidity for succession, and families with beneficiaries who require managed distributions. An ILIT can also be appropriate where protecting proceeds from creditors or aligning life insurance ownership with long-term family planning goals is a priority. Each household’s situation differs, so tailored analysis of financial needs, family dynamics, and legal options helps determine whether an ILIT is an appropriate solution.
When life insurance proceeds are large relative to the rest of an estate, including those proceeds in the grantor’s estate could increase tax exposure and create liquidity needs at death. An ILIT can be structured to remove the policy from the estate for tax purposes, subject to timing rules, which may reduce estate tax liability and provide funds to pay taxes and expenses without liquidating other assets. Proper planning and timely transfers are essential to achieve the desired tax outcome and avoid unintended inclusion.
Business owners sometimes use life insurance held in a trust to provide liquidity for buy-sell agreements, to facilitate the purchase of shares from a deceased owner, or to preserve the ongoing business for family members or partners. An ILIT can ensure policy proceeds are managed according to the business succession plan and are available to cover transition costs without being subject to probate. Coordination between business agreements and trust terms helps align the uses of proceeds with the owner’s long-term business goals.
An ILIT can be used to provide for minor children, beneficiaries with disabilities, or other family members who may need structured financial support. Trust terms can set conditions for distributions, provide for professional management of assets, and preserve eligibility for public benefits where needed. This approach reduces the risk of funds being misused and gives trustees clear authority to manage the assets for long-term benefit. Combining an ILIT with other trust forms and guardianship nominations ensures a comprehensive plan for those who need ongoing care.
If you are in San Pasqual and considering an ILIT, the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman offers practical legal support to walk you through the process. We assist with drafting trust documents, selecting trustees, coordinating transfers of policy ownership, and implementing funding strategies to align with your goals. Our approach emphasizes clear communication and careful documentation so trustees and beneficiaries understand the trust’s terms and administrative requirements. Call 408-528-2827 to discuss how an ILIT might fit into your broader estate plan and to schedule a consultation to review your options.
Clients work with the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman because we provide pragmatic legal guidance tailored to family and financial goals in California. We help design trust documents that reflect specific distribution preferences, funding plans, and trustee roles, and we coordinate those documents with your will, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Our team focuses on clear drafting, responsive communication, and practical solutions that reduce administrative burden for families during transition periods.
We handle the detailed steps needed to place life insurance into an irrevocable trust, including reviewing existing policies, preparing transfer documentation, and advising on gift tax planning where appropriate. We also draft supporting documents such as certification of trust and pour-over wills to ensure a cohesive plan. Our goal is to deliver a durable plan that helps preserve family assets and provide orderly distributions while complying with applicable California and federal rules.
From initial planning through trust administration support, we assist clients in anticipating possible issues and implementing clear, workable terms. Clients appreciate straightforward explanations of technical subjects and practical strategies for funding and managing trusts. If you need help evaluating whether an ILIT is right for you or implementing one within a comprehensive estate plan, we can provide the guidance needed to move forward confidently.
Our process begins with a detailed review of your current estate documents, life insurance policies, family circumstances, and objectives for distributions. We then recommend whether an ILIT fits your goals and outline funding and trustee options. Once you approve a plan, we draft the trust instrument, coordinate transfers of policy ownership or trust purchases, prepare notices and supporting documents, and discuss ongoing administration needs. We remain available to assist trustees with trust management and to update documents as life circumstances change.
During the initial meeting we gather information about your financial assets, policy details, family dynamics, and planning objectives. This includes reviewing current beneficiary designations, existing trust documents, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. We discuss the potential benefits and trade-offs of an ILIT and any timing or gift tax considerations that may apply. The goal is to develop a clear plan that integrates the ILIT with your overall estate plan and provides predictable outcomes for beneficiaries.
We examine the terms of life insurance policies, ownership structure, and incumbent beneficiary designations to determine the best approach for placing coverage into trust. This review helps identify transfer timing issues and clarifies whether existing policies should be retitled, replaced, or newly purchased by the trust. Accurate records and coordinated beneficiary designations ensure the ILIT functions as intended and avoids inadvertently placing proceeds back into the estate.
We talk through your priorities for how proceeds should be used, who should receive distributions, and whether controlled or staggered distributions are appropriate. This discussion shapes trust provisions regarding distribution timing, conditions, and trustee powers. We also identify any special considerations, such as support for minor children or beneficiaries with disabilities, business succession funding, or creditor protection needs that should inform drafting choices.
After planning decisions are made, we prepare the ILIT document with clear trust terms, trustee powers, and successor provisions. We provide guidance on funding methods, whether by transferring an existing policy into the trust or having the trust purchase a new policy. If funding will rely on annual gifts to cover premiums, we include processes for beneficiary notices and recordkeeping. We coordinate any required forms or insurer requirements to effect ownership change and ensure funding is structured to meet tax and administrative goals.
Once the trust is finalized, we supervise execution of the trust instrument, trustee acceptance, and the documentation required to transfer policy ownership. This may include insurer forms, assignment documents, and evidence of trust existence. Proper execution ensures the trust is recognized by the insurance company and that ownership is properly recorded to reflect the ILIT as policyholder. Careful attention to detail at this stage avoids delays or unintended estate inclusion.
If the trust will receive annual gifts to cover premiums, we advise on gift timing, the use of Crummey notices, and how to document gifts to qualify for annual exclusion where possible. We set up recordkeeping for contributions, notices, and trustee actions so the trust maintains proper documentation for tax and administrative purposes. This helps protect the intended tax treatment and ensures premiums are paid on schedule to keep policies in force.
After the ILIT is funded and in place, ongoing administration includes premium payment oversight, trust recordkeeping, provision of notices when required, and making distributions according to the trust terms. Periodic review is important to address changes in family circumstances, law, or financial needs. Trustees may consult with legal counsel for complex matters, tax reporting, or when interpreting trust provisions. Regular communication with beneficiaries and professional advisors helps maintain the trust’s intended purpose over time.
Trustees should maintain accurate records of all transactions, premium payments, notices, and communications with beneficiaries. Proper record maintenance supports transparency and helps avoid disputes. Trustees may also need to prepare tax filings or work with accountants on trust-related matters. Clear documentation of how funds were used and how distributions were made protects both trustees and beneficiaries and preserves the integrity of the trust’s administration.
Life events such as births, deaths, marriages, or changes in financial status can affect whether an ILIT continues to serve your objectives. Periodic reviews help ensure trust terms, trustee selections, and funding strategies remain appropriate. We recommend scheduled reviews to consider changes in law, tax rules, or family needs and to update related documents such as wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives so the entire estate plan stays coordinated and effective.
An irrevocable life insurance trust is a trust vehicle that owns life insurance policies for the benefit of named beneficiaries. Unlike a revocable trust, an irrevocable trust generally cannot be changed or revoked by the grantor once it is properly executed and funded. The main practical difference is that ownership and control of the policy are transferred to the trust, which can remove the proceeds from the grantor’s probate estate under applicable rules. This change in ownership affects management, distribution rules, and certain tax consequences, so careful planning is required to ensure the trust meets your objectives. An ILIT is typically used to provide structured distributions, protect proceeds from direct inclusion in the estate, and coordinate with other estate planning tools. Because the trust is irrevocable, the grantor must consider the long-term implications of the transfer, such as loss of direct control over the policy and the need to fund premium payments through gifts or trust assets. Legal guidance helps ensure the trust is drafted and funded correctly to achieve the intended results.
An ILIT can reduce the amount of the grantor’s estate subject to federal estate tax by ensuring that life insurance proceeds are owned by the trust rather than the individual, subject to federal timing rules. If a policy is transferred to a trust and the transfer falls within the three-year look-back period before death, the proceeds may still be included in the grantor’s estate. California does not impose a separate state estate tax as of the time this guide was written, but federal estate tax considerations remain important for larger estates. Careful attention to transfer timing and funding methods helps preserve the intended tax benefits. Estate tax outcomes depend on the value of the estate, applicable exemptions, and how the trust is funded. Properly structured ILITs, combined with other planning techniques, can provide liquidity to pay estate taxes and protect assets for beneficiaries. Consulting with legal and tax professionals ensures you understand the interplay between the trust and estate tax rules and helps implement steps to maintain the desired treatment.
Existing life insurance policies can often be transferred into an ILIT, but transfers are subject to insurer procedures and federal rules such as the three-year inclusion period. If the insured dies within three years of transferring an existing policy into the trust, the proceeds may be included in the insured’s estate for tax purposes. Because of this rule, some clients choose to fund a new policy purchased by the trust or to accept the timing trade-off when transferring an existing policy. Coordination with the insurer and proper documentation are essential to effect the transfer. The process of transferring an existing policy typically requires signed assignment forms, a declaration of trust, and confirmation from the insurance company that the trust is the new owner and beneficiary where appropriate. It is important to confirm how the transfer affects policy terms, beneficiary designations, and premium payment responsibilities. Legal counsel can help navigate these steps and ensure the transfer aligns with your overall estate plan.
The trustee is the person or institution appointed to administer the trust according to its terms, manage the trust’s assets, and make distributions to beneficiaries. Duties include managing premium payments when applicable, keeping accurate records, providing notices when gifts are made, and acting in the best interest of beneficiaries. The trustee’s role is fiduciary in nature and requires impartiality, prudent judgment, and compliance with trust terms and law. Selecting the right trustee involves considering administrative capability, availability, and trustworthiness. Successor trustee provisions should be included to ensure a smooth transition if the initial trustee cannot serve. In some situations, families choose a trusted individual who understands the family’s needs, while in others a corporate trustee is chosen for professional administration. The right choice depends on the complexity of trust terms, anticipated decision-making needs, and the family’s preferences.
Premiums for a life insurance policy owned by an ILIT must be paid by the trust or by gifts to the trust that allow the trustee to make payments. Common methods include transferring an existing policy into the trust where the trust continues premium payments, or the grantor making annual gifts to the trust to cover premiums. When gifts are used, trustees often provide Crummey notices to beneficiaries to qualify the gifts for the annual gift tax exclusion. Clear documentation of contributions and payments is important for tax and administrative purposes. Trust funding strategies should be planned to ensure premiums remain current and the policy does not lapse. This can involve coordinating bank transfers, establishing contribution schedules, and keeping detailed records. If the trust fails to receive sufficient funding, the trustee may need to consider alternative funding sources or policy changes to preserve coverage for the benefit of the beneficiaries.
Crummey notices are written notifications sent to beneficiaries when a contribution is made to a trust that grants them a brief right to withdraw the gift. The purpose is to create a present interest in the gift so that it may qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion. The withdrawal right is typically short-lived, and beneficiaries usually decline to withdraw so that funds remain in the trust for long-term management. Properly administered Crummey powers and notices help make premium funding more tax-efficient while preserving trust control. To be effective, Crummey notices must meet certain formal requirements and be documented in trust records. Trustees should maintain copies of notices and any beneficiary responses and follow the trust’s procedures for issuing notices. Legal guidance helps ensure that notices and procedures are drafted and administered to achieve the intended tax treatment while minimizing administrative complications.
An ILIT may offer a layer of protection against certain creditor claims because the trust, rather than the beneficiary, holds legal title to the proceeds until distributed. Spendthrift provisions and carefully drafted distribution rules can limit a beneficiary’s ability to assign or encumber their interest before distributions are made. While such protections can reduce exposure to creditors in many situations, they do not shield assets from all types of claims and the effectiveness depends on timing, trust structure, and applicable law. It is important to understand the limits of creditor protection and tailor the trust accordingly. Creditors of the grantor may also have different rights regarding transfers depending on state law and the timing of transfers into the trust. Proper planning and coordination with legal counsel can help align trust provisions with your goals for protection while ensuring compliance with laws governing fraudulent transfers and creditor claims.
An ILIT should be coordinated with other estate documents such as pour-over wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to create a cohesive plan. A pour-over will can ensure assets not previously transferred to a trust are moved into the appropriate trust at probate, while powers of attorney and healthcare directives address financial and medical decision-making during life. Coordination prevents conflicting beneficiary designations and clarifies how life insurance proceeds relate to the rest of the estate plan, promoting smooth administration after death. Documentation such as a certification of trust and clear beneficiary designations helps trustees and insurers recognize the trust and execute the grantor’s intentions. Periodic reviews of all documents ensure they remain consistent with personal circumstances and changes in law. A coordinated approach provides clarity for survivors and fiduciaries during the administration process.
If a trustee fails to administer an ILIT correctly, beneficiaries may have remedies available including requesting an accounting, seeking judicial removal of the trustee, or pursuing other legal remedies to address mismanagement. Trustees have fiduciary duties to act prudently, avoid conflicts of interest, and follow trust terms. Proper recordkeeping and communication can prevent many problems, and trustees should consult with legal counsel for complex decisions to ensure compliance and reduce exposure to claims of breach of duty. Regular oversight through periodic reviews and beneficiary communications can detect issues early. If concerns arise, beneficiaries should seek legal advice to understand their rights and options for addressing trustee misconduct or errors in administration. Provisions in the trust document for successor trustees and dispute resolution mechanisms can provide additional safeguards.
You should review your ILIT and related estate planning documents periodically, and any time major life events occur such as births, deaths, marriages, divorces, or significant changes in financial circumstances. Laws and tax rules can also change over time, which may affect the trust’s effectiveness or require updates to preserve intended outcomes. Regular reviews help ensure the trust continues to align with family needs and legal requirements and that funding and trustee arrangements remain appropriate. A practical schedule is to review the plan every few years or after a major event, and to consult with legal counsel when you are considering changes to beneficiary designations, selling or replacing policies, or altering funding strategies. Proactive maintenance reduces surprises and ensures the ILIT functions as intended when it is needed most.
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