An irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) can be an effective tool for families in Bonny Doon and Santa Cruz County who want to remove life insurance proceeds from their taxable estate while maintaining access to liquidity for heirs. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, our approach is focused on clear communication and practical planning tailored to your family and financial situation. We help clients understand how an ILIT fits into a broader estate plan alongside wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and directives. This page explains what an ILIT does, how it operates, and why many families choose this planning strategy.
Choosing whether an ILIT belongs in your estate plan involves looking at your goals for wealth transfer, tax considerations, and the needs of beneficiaries. An ILIT can provide creditor protection for insurance proceeds, allow for managed distributions, and reduce estate tax exposure for larger estates. The process involves funding the trust, possibly transferring an existing policy or purchasing a new one owned by the trust, and naming appropriate trustees and beneficiaries. We outline the steps, common terms, and scenarios when an ILIT is a helpful component of a balanced estate plan for Bonny Doon residents.
An irrevocable life insurance trust offers several potential benefits for families planning for the future. By placing a life insurance policy in a properly drafted trust, the death benefit may be kept outside the taxable estate, which can preserve more assets for beneficiaries and reduce estate administration complications. An ILIT can also provide structured distributions for heirs, protect proceeds from creditors and divorcing spouses in many situations, and ensure that funds are available for estate liquidity needs such as paying taxes or debts. Considering an ILIT is part of broader planning that also includes wills, durable powers of attorney, and health care directives.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides estate planning services to individuals and families across Santa Cruz County, including Bonny Doon. Our practice focuses on offering practical legal strategies and clear guidance to help clients make informed decisions. We assist with creating revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and trusts such as ILITs, special needs trusts, and pet trusts. Clients can expect personalized attention, straightforward explanations of legal options, and planning that aligns with family values and financial objectives while meeting California legal requirements.
An irrevocable life insurance trust is a legal arrangement designed to own and control life insurance policies for the benefit of named beneficiaries. Once an ILIT is signed and funded, the grantor generally relinquishes ownership and certain control over the policy, which can remove the policy proceeds from the grantor’s taxable estate if crafted and administered properly. Trustees manage the trust according to the terms set out at creation, and beneficiaries receive distributions as provided. Understanding the timing, funding methods, and trustee responsibilities is important to ensure the desired tax and protection outcomes are achieved under California law.
Using an ILIT involves several procedural and administrative steps that affect tax treatment and access to proceeds. Grantors may transfer an existing policy into the trust or have the trust purchase a new policy, and annual gifts to the trust can be used to pay premiums. The trust language may include withdrawal powers or powers of appointment designed to preserve transfer tax benefits while complying with gift tax rules. Coordination with other estate components, such as a revocable living trust and pour-over will, helps ensure that life insurance proceeds are handled according to the grantor’s overall plan.
An irrevocable life insurance trust is a distinct legal entity created by a grantor to hold life insurance policies outside the grantor’s estate. The trust becomes the owner and beneficiary of one or more life insurance policies, and the trustee manages premium payments and distributions after the insured person’s death. Because the trust is irrevocable, the grantor gives up ownership and certain controls, which typically removes the policy proceeds from the grantor’s estate for estate tax purposes. Proper drafting, timely transfers, and adherence to gift tax rules are essential to achieve the intended benefits, and these matters are addressed during trust formation and administration.
Key elements of an ILIT include the grantor who creates the trust, the trustee who manages the assets, the trust language that directs how proceeds are handled, and the designated beneficiaries who will receive distributions. Administrative processes include funding the trust with a policy or premium gifts, maintaining records of gifts and withdrawals, and ensuring that transfers occur outside the applicable three-year lookback period for estate inclusion when applicable. Trustees also coordinate with life insurance carriers, handle premium payments, and distribute proceeds according to the trust terms. Accurate recordkeeping and clear language help preserve the trust’s intended benefits.
Understanding the terminology associated with ILITs makes it easier to participate in planning decisions. Common terms include grantor, trustee, beneficiary, premium gifts, Crummey withdrawals, and estate inclusion rules. Each term reflects a specific role or procedural point that affects tax treatment, control, or access to funds. Becoming familiar with these definitions helps you evaluate trust language and funding choices. This section explains commonly used terms so you can feel confident asking questions about how an ILIT would operate within your overall estate plan and how it interacts with documents like wills and powers of attorney.
An ILIT is a trust created to own life insurance policies on the grantor’s life that is designed to keep policy proceeds outside the grantor’s taxable estate. The trust holds the policy, pays premiums through gifts to the trust, and distributes death benefits according to the trust’s terms. Because the trust is irrevocable, the grantor typically cannot reclaim ownership after the transfer. Proper drafting and administration, including timing of transfers and gift tax considerations, are important to secure the intended estate planning and asset protection outcomes for heirs and beneficiaries.
The grantor is the person who creates and funds the ILIT, while the trustee is the individual or institution charged with managing the trust assets and carrying out its terms. Trustees make premium payments, maintain records of gifts, notify beneficiaries of withdrawal powers when applicable, and distribute proceeds after the insured’s death. Choosing a trustee who will follow the grantor’s wishes and manage administrative tasks responsibly is essential. The trustee’s role is fiduciary in nature and focused on administration and stewardship rather than control by the grantor.
Crummey withdrawal rights are a mechanism used to qualify annual premium gifts to an ILIT for the annual gift tax exclusion by giving beneficiaries a temporary right to withdraw a portion of each gift. The notice and withdrawal period must be handled correctly for the gifts to qualify for the exclusion. Often, beneficiaries do not exercise these rights, allowing the trustee to use the funds to pay policy premiums. Proper documentation of notices and withdrawal windows is part of careful trust administration to preserve tax benefits.
Transfers of life insurance policies to an ILIT can be effective for estate planning, but transfers made within three years of the insured’s death may be included in the taxable estate under federal rules. This three-year lookback requires advance planning when funding an ILIT, especially if an existing policy is transferred. For some clients, a new policy issued and owned by the ILIT from the start avoids lookback concerns. Understanding timing and how it affects estate inclusion is a central part of ILIT planning.
An ILIT is one of several tools available for managing life insurance within an estate plan. Alternatives include keeping a policy in the grantor’s name, which provides control and flexibility but may increase estate tax exposure, or using a revocable trust as part of a broader plan that addresses other assets. Another option is to purchase a policy outside of any trust and designate beneficiaries directly, which can be simpler but less protective. Comparing these choices involves weighing ownership, control, tax effects, creditor protection, and the intended distribution of proceeds to beneficiaries over time.
For households with modest estates where estate tax is unlikely to apply, keeping a life insurance policy in the policyholder’s name or naming beneficiaries directly may be sufficient. This approach reduces administrative complexity and avoids ongoing trust administration tasks like annual gift notices and trustee reporting. If the primary goal is to provide immediate liquidity for funeral expenses or to replace lost income for dependents, a direct beneficiary designation achieves these aims with fewer formalities. Discussing personal goals and financial thresholds helps determine whether a limited approach is appropriate for your circumstances.
When maintaining flexibility over policy ownership, beneficiaries, and the ability to borrow against or surrender a policy is important, a simpler arrangement might be better. Keeping the policy outside an irrevocable trust preserves the owner’s ability to make changes, access cash values, or manage the policy as family needs evolve. This flexibility is valuable for homeowners with changing plans, those with dependent children whose needs may shift, or those who intend to alter their beneficiaries without the formality of trust amendments. The trade-off is that proceeds may remain in the estate for tax purposes.
A comprehensive plan that integrates an ILIT with trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives can offer coordinated protection of assets and liquidity for estate administration. When an estate includes illiquid assets such as real estate or business interests, having life insurance proceeds located outside the taxable estate can provide funds to pay taxes and debts without forcing a sale. Comprehensive planning anticipates potential tax exposure, coordinates beneficiary designations, and ensures that documents work together to achieve the grantor’s goals for asset distribution and family protection.
Families with complex needs, blended households, beneficiaries with special needs, or multigenerational wealth transfer goals often benefit from a coordinated plan. An ILIT can be crafted to provide structured distributions for heirs, coordinate with a special needs trust to preserve public benefits, or fund long-term care or education objectives. Integrating trust provisions with other estate planning documents helps avoid unintended consequences, reduce disputes, and provide a clearer roadmap for trustees and beneficiaries, which can preserve family relationships and financial security over time.
Combining an ILIT with other estate planning documents allows for coordinated decision-making that aligns with long-term goals. When life insurance is held by an ILIT, proceeds can be distributed according to detailed trust instructions while other assets are handled through a revocable living trust or will. This integrated approach can minimize probate exposure, provide creditor protection for beneficiaries, and create predictable outcomes for distributions. Clear coordination also simplifies trustee administration and reduces the likelihood of conflicting beneficiary designations that might complicate estate settlement.
A comprehensive approach also supports family governance and continuity, creating mechanisms for the orderly transfer of wealth and decision-making after the grantor’s death. By aligning life insurance planning with powers of attorney, health directives, and trusts for specific needs like special needs trusts or pet trusts, families can address immediate financial needs and longer-term objectives simultaneously. This planning reduces uncertainty and helps ensure that funds are used as intended, whether to support dependent family members, maintain business continuity, or fund charitable goals across generations.
One of the primary benefits of an ILIT within a comprehensive plan is reducing estate tax exposure and providing liquidity to settle estate obligations. By removing life insurance proceeds from the grantor’s taxable estate through proper ILIT formation and administration, the plan can preserve more assets for beneficiaries. The life insurance funds also serve as a ready source of cash to pay estate taxes, debts, and administrative costs, which can prevent forced sales of real estate or business interests. Thoughtful coordination with other planning documents helps ensure the liquidity is available where and when it is needed.
An ILIT gives the grantor the ability to direct how insurance proceeds are distributed, protecting beneficiaries from undue risk or mismanagement. Trust provisions can stagger payments, set conditions for distributions, or provide oversight to preserve assets for future needs such as education or long-term care. Additionally, trust ownership can shield proceeds from certain creditor claims and divorce proceedings in many cases. This degree of control and protection helps families preserve wealth across generations while ensuring that funds are available for intended purposes.
Begin ILIT planning well in advance of any anticipated need to avoid timing issues that can affect tax treatment. Transfers of existing life insurance policies have a lookback period that can cause proceeds to be included in the taxable estate if the insured dies within three years of the transfer. Early planning also allows for careful selection of trustees and beneficiaries, the opportunity to structure premium gifts effectively, and time to coordinate the ILIT with other estate planning documents such as pour-over wills, revocable living trusts, and powers of attorney.
Ensure the ILIT’s terms are aligned with your will, revocable living trust, powers of attorney, and health care directive so the overall plan works together. Naming consistent fiduciaries and beneficiaries, and ensuring beneficiary designations on insurance policies match trust intentions, reduces conflicts and unintended consequences. Discussing how the ILIT interacts with special needs trusts, pet trusts, or retirement plan trusts enables comprehensive planning that addresses liquidity, tax considerations, and the needs of all family members.
Consider an ILIT if your goals include preserving more of your estate for heirs by reducing estate tax exposure, providing creditor protection for insurance proceeds, or ensuring funds are available for estate liquidity needs. An ILIT can be particularly helpful for owners of larger estates, business owners who want to fund buy-sell arrangements or succession plans, and families seeking orderly distributions for children or heirs. The trust structure can also be tailored to address specific family circumstances, such as supporting a beneficiary with special needs while protecting eligibility for public benefits.
Other reasons to consider an ILIT include the desire to control how proceeds are used through trust provisions, avoid the potential inclusion of large insurance proceeds in the probate process, and coordinate life insurance benefits with retirement planning documents and other trusts. When carefully implemented, an ILIT supports long-term wealth transfer objectives, reduces tax-related surprises, and provides a framework for trustees to manage the funds responsibly for the benefit of named beneficiaries across generations.
Typical circumstances that prompt consideration of an ILIT include substantial life insurance policies where estate tax exposure is a concern, business owners needing liquidity for succession, families with multiple beneficiaries who require controlled distributions, and individuals seeking creditor protection for life insurance proceeds. Others consider an ILIT when coordinating benefits with special needs planning or when seeking to protect proceeds from potential future claims in divorce or bankruptcy. Evaluating personal and financial circumstances helps determine whether an ILIT offers meaningful advantages.
When life insurance policies carry significant death benefits relative to the overall estate, placing policies in an ILIT can help reduce estate tax exposure and keep proceeds available to pay any estate-related obligations. This planning can be important for individuals whose estates may approach taxable thresholds or for those who wish to preserve assets for heirs rather than taxes. The ILIT structure, when properly funded and administered, separates policy proceeds from probate and may provide a predictable source of liquidity for estate settlement.
Business owners often use life insurance for succession planning and to provide liquidity for buyouts, estate tax payments, or to stabilize operations after an owner’s death. An ILIT holding a life insurance policy can preserve business continuity by ensuring funds are available without adding to the operating estate. Structuring the trust and coordinating with shareholder agreements or buy-sell arrangements helps secure the intended outcome and minimize disruption to the business while protecting family and business interests.
Families seeking to manage how insurance proceeds are distributed to beneficiaries often benefit from using an ILIT to set conditions, stagger distributions, or appoint trustees who will oversee use of funds. This approach helps protect beneficiaries who may not be ready to manage large lump sums, support a long-term financial plan such as education funding, or preserve eligibility for public benefits in the case of a beneficiary with special needs. These trust mechanisms support long-term family financial stability and thoughtful stewardship of assets.
We provide ILIT planning and administration services to Bonny Doon and surrounding Santa Cruz County communities, offering practical guidance to help families put an effective plan in place. Our team assists with drafting ILIT documents, coordinating life insurance transfers or trust-owned purchases, setting up Crummey notice procedures, and supporting trustees with recordkeeping and administration. We also work alongside financial advisors and insurance carriers when needed to ensure the ILIT functions as intended and integrates with your overall estate planning roadmap.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman focuses on clear, client-centered estate planning that addresses practical concerns and long-term goals. We help clients evaluate whether an ILIT fits into a broader plan that may include revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Our process emphasizes careful drafting, proper funding, and coordinated administration to help achieve the intended asset protection and tax-related benefits while maintaining the dignity and intentions of the grantor.
Clients who work with our office receive guidance on selecting trustees, documenting annual gifts and notices, and working through the timing aspects of policy transfers or trust-owned policy purchases. We help explain the trade-offs between ownership, control, and the potential tax implications of different approaches, so clients can make informed choices that reflect their family priorities. Our aim is to provide a practical, steady approach to planning that respects California legal requirements and family goals.
We also assist with related estate planning tasks such as coordinating ILITs with pour-over wills, revocable living trusts, healthcare directives, guardianship nominations, and specialized trusts like special needs trusts and pet trusts. This integrated approach reduces the likelihood of conflicts between documents and creates a cohesive plan that addresses both immediate needs and long-term wealth transfer strategies, helping ensure affairs are handled according to the grantor’s wishes.
Our ILIT process begins with an in-depth discussion of your goals, family circumstances, and existing estate planning documents. We review current life insurance policies, financial profiles, and beneficiary designations to determine the best route—whether transferring an existing policy or establishing a trust to own a new policy. Drafting follows, with careful attention to trust language, trustee powers, and funding mechanisms. After the trust is signed, we assist with transferring policies, setting up premium payment arrangements, and documenting annual gifts and notices to support favorable tax treatment and smooth administration.
The first step involves gathering information about your financial assets, existing policies, and family objectives. We examine current wills, revocable trusts, beneficiary designations, and insurance contracts to assess how an ILIT would integrate into the existing plan. This phase identifies timing considerations such as lookback periods and evaluates whether transferring an existing policy or having the trust purchase a new policy is the most appropriate approach for your situation. Clear communication at this stage sets expectations for outcomes and next steps.
During review we check ownership and beneficiary designations on any current life insurance policies to determine potential estate inclusion issues and identify steps needed to transfer ownership properly. We look for carrier requirements, contestability concerns, and policy loan balances that could affect the transfer process. These details determine whether a transfer will meet planning goals and the timing needed to preserve intended tax treatment.
We discuss methods to fund ILIT premiums, including annual gifts to the trust that qualify for the gift tax exclusion, or establishing payment arrangements that suit your cash flow. We explain how Crummey withdrawal notices operate and why proper documentation matters. This planning helps ensure premiums are paid consistently and supports the trust’s long-term viability without unexpected lapses or administrative issues for trustees.
After confirming the appropriate funding method and trust structure, we prepare ILIT documents tailored to your goals. Drafting includes trustee succession provisions, distribution rules, and any language needed to coordinate with other estate documents. We review the draft with you, explain trustee responsibilities, and address questions about beneficiary rights and withdrawal provisions. Once finalized, the trust is executed with the required signatures and formalities to comply with California law and to ensure the trust is legally effective.
We craft trust provisions that clearly set forth how insurance proceeds are to be used, who may serve as trustee, and how trustee decisions should be made. Clear trustee instructions minimize later disputes and provide a framework for administering proceeds responsibly. The trust language also addresses contingencies such as successor trustees and procedures for handling policy loans or changes in carrier requirements.
Once the trust is signed, we assist with notifying the insurance carrier, transferring policy ownership if applicable, or arranging for the trust to be the new policyowner when a new policy is issued. Coordination with the carrier ensures policy details, beneficiary designations, and ownership records match the trust instructions. This coordination reduces administrative complications and helps ensure the trust functions as intended when benefits become payable.
After the ILIT is in place, we help implement the funding plan and establish administrative practices, including annual gift transfers, Crummey notice procedures, and recordkeeping protocols. Trustees receive guidance on premium payments, documentation, and reporting. We remain available to advise on trustee decisions, changes in family circumstances, or adjustments needed to other estate planning documents. Ongoing support helps maintain the trust’s effectiveness and ensures that the plan adapts as laws and family needs evolve.
Trustees and grantors should follow consistent procedures for making annual gifts to the ILIT and issuing required notices to beneficiaries when Crummey powers are used. Proper timing and documentation support the position that gifts qualify for the annual exclusion and help protect the intended tax benefits. We provide templates and guidance to streamline administration and reduce the likelihood of errors that could jeopardize the trust’s advantages.
We offer ongoing support to trustees as they manage premiums, maintain records, and carry out distributions when appropriate. As family situations change, we can help update related planning documents to preserve alignment with the ILIT, including amendments to revocable trusts or updates to beneficiary designations where permitted. Regular reviews ensure that the ILIT and the broader estate plan continue to reflect the grantor’s objectives and current legal considerations.
An ILIT is a trust created to own life insurance policies so that policy proceeds are paid to the trust rather than to the insured’s estate or named beneficiaries directly. The trust document sets out how proceeds are to be managed and distributed, and a trustee administers the assets according to those terms. Keeping a policy in your own name gives you control over the policy but may leave the proceeds inside the estate for tax purposes. An ILIT removes ownership from the insured, which often reduces estate inclusion for larger estates when done properly. Choosing between an ILIT and keeping a policy in your name depends on your goals for control, tax exposure, and beneficiary protection. An ILIT can provide creditor protection and structured distributions, while direct ownership offers flexibility to change beneficiaries or access cash values. Reviewing your overall estate plan, estate size, and family needs will indicate which approach likely best achieves your objectives and how an ILIT would integrate with other planning documents.
Funding an ILIT typically involves making annual gifts to the trust that the trustee uses to pay policy premiums. When these gifts qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion, they do not consume lifetime gift tax exemptions. Crummey withdrawal powers are often used so that beneficiaries have a short-term right to withdraw gifts, which helps the gifts qualify for the exclusion. Proper documentation and timing of notices support the position that premium contributions are not taxable gifts beyond the exclusion amount. The estate tax effect depends on when ownership transfers occur relative to the insured’s death. Transfers completed within a specified lookback period may be included in the estate, so planning the timing of transfers is important. A coordinated approach with other estate documents and awareness of federal and state rules helps achieve the desired tax outcomes while minimizing unintended estate inclusion.
Transferring an existing life insurance policy into an ILIT is possible but requires careful consideration of timing and carrier requirements. If the insured dies within a particular lookback period after the transfer, the proceeds may be included in the taxable estate. Additionally, carriers may require forms or underwriting if ownership changes affect the policy’s status. Any outstanding policy loans or beneficiary designations must be reviewed and addressed during the transfer process. Sometimes a new policy purchased by the ILIT from the start is preferable to avoid lookback concerns, particularly when timing is tight. Whether transferring an existing policy or having the trust apply for a new one, coordination with the carrier and precise documentation are key to ensuring the transfer achieves intended planning goals without unintended tax consequences.
The trustee of an ILIT should be someone or an institution capable of managing administrative tasks and following the trust’s terms responsibly. Trustees handle premium payments, maintain records of gifts and notices, coordinate with the insurance carrier, and make distributions in accordance with the trust document. Selecting a trustee who understands their fiduciary duties and who can remain impartial in family matters helps prevent conflicts and promotes effective administration. Some clients choose a trusted family member or friend, while others prefer a professional fiduciary or corporate trustee for added continuity and administrative support. The decision should reflect the complexity of the trust, the anticipated administrative workload, and the need for neutrality in handling beneficiary relationships. Trustee succession planning is also important to ensure ongoing management.
Crummey withdrawal rights are temporary rights given to beneficiaries to withdraw a portion of each annual gift to the ILIT, designed to qualify those gifts for the annual gift tax exclusion. The trustee issues notices to beneficiaries informing them of their withdrawal rights, and the withdrawal window must be reasonable and documented. Often, beneficiaries do not exercise these rights, allowing the trustee to use the funds for premium payments while preserving the tax treatment of the gifts. The effectiveness of Crummey powers depends on proper notice, timing, and documentation. Trustees should keep records of notices and any withdrawals to support the tax position. Clear procedures and good communication with beneficiaries reduce the risk of technical issues that could affect the intended benefits of the ILIT.
An ILIT can be coordinated with a special needs trust or other protective arrangements to ensure beneficiaries with vulnerabilities retain eligibility for public benefits while still receiving support. For example, life insurance proceeds can be directed to a special needs trust that provides supplemental benefits without disrupting government programs. Careful drafting is required to avoid creating disqualifying income or assets for beneficiaries who rely on means-tested benefits. Coordination between trustees and caregivers is important to ensure distributions are used appropriately to enhance quality of life while preserving necessary benefits. When special needs planning is part of the picture, integrating the ILIT into a broader strategy helps achieve both financial support and continued public benefit eligibility.
Trustees of an ILIT have administrative responsibilities including paying premiums, keeping accurate records of gifts and notices, communicating with beneficiaries, and managing distributions in accordance with the trust terms. Trustees must also coordinate with insurance carriers regarding ownership, beneficiary designations, and policy loans, and they should maintain documentation that supports the trust’s tax treatment and operational decisions. These duties require attention to detail and ongoing oversight to ensure the trust remains in good standing. Trustees may also need to provide tax information to beneficiaries and coordinate with legal or financial advisors about trust investments or distributions. When trustees are uncertain about complex issues, seeking professional support for accounting or legal questions helps maintain compliance and protects the trust’s intended outcomes for beneficiaries.
Timing matters when transferring policies into an ILIT because transfers made shortly before the insured’s death can result in the proceeds being included in the taxable estate. Advance planning helps avoid such lookback issues, and creating a policy owned by the ILIT from the outset can eliminate that concern. Timing also affects underwriting and carrier approval if an existing policy is transferred, so early evaluation is important to identify potential complications and avoid last-minute surprises. A careful timeline allows for necessary administrative steps such as issuing Crummey notices and documenting annual gifts. Planning ahead also lets the grantor choose appropriate trustees, coordinate related estate documents, and ensure the ILIT is fully funded and operational well before the need arises, reducing the risk of unintended estate inclusion or administrative lapses.
An ILIT helps provide estate liquidity by making life insurance proceeds available to the estate in a manner tailored by the trust’s terms, without requiring liquidation of other assets. These funds can be structured to pay estate taxes, debts, and administrative expenses so that real estate or business interests are not forced into sale under unfavorable conditions. Because an ILIT often removes the proceeds from the taxable estate, the funds can be used more effectively to preserve family assets and facilitate orderly settlement. The liquidity benefit is particularly important for estates with significant illiquid holdings or business interests that would be disrupted by immediate sales. Integrating an ILIT with estate planning documents ensures that proceeds are available in a timely manner and are distributed according to the grantor’s objectives, reducing stress and uncertainty for surviving family members during the administration process.
After the insured person dies, the trustee collects the life insurance proceeds and administers distributions according to the trust’s terms. This may include immediate payments to cover taxes or debts, staggered distributions to beneficiaries, or funding of other trusts such as special needs trusts. The trustee’s duties include obtaining the policy payout, documenting transactions, and distributing funds while adhering to the instructions laid out by the grantor in the trust document. Depending on the trust’s structure, the trustee may also invest trust assets, make discretionary distributions, or follow specific guidelines for family support or education funding. Clear trust language and competent administration help ensure that proceeds are handled as intended and that beneficiaries understand the process and timing of distributions.
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