An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) can be a valuable component of a thoughtful estate plan for individuals in Mira Monte and Ventura County. An ILIT is designed to remove the proceeds of a life insurance policy from an estate, provide liquidity to pay estate taxes or debts, and ensure that designated beneficiaries receive funds outside probate. Many clients choose an ILIT to protect inheritances for spouses, children, or other loved ones and to maintain control over how proceeds are distributed. We explain how an ILIT works and how it fits alongside wills, trusts, and powers of attorney in a comprehensive plan.
Creating an ILIT involves selecting the right trustee, transferring or purchasing a policy within the trust, and setting terms that reflect your wishes for distribution and management of proceeds. Although an ILIT is irrevocable, careful planning can provide flexibility through design choices like discretionary distribution provisions or protective spendthrift clauses. This service guide covers the benefits, common uses, and steps involved in establishing an ILIT, helping Mira Monte families understand whether this tool aligns with their long-term financial and legacy goals while coordinating with other estate planning documents.
An ILIT provides multiple practical benefits for estate planning. By keeping life insurance proceeds outside of the taxable estate, an ILIT can help reduce estate tax exposure and preserve more wealth for beneficiaries. It also delivers immediate liquidity that can be used to pay taxes, settle debts, cover funeral costs, or provide for dependent loved ones. Additionally, trusts allow you to control distribution timing and conditions, which can be helpful for heirs who are minors, have special needs, or require protection from creditors. For many households in Ventura County, an ILIT offers a reliable way to manage life insurance within a broader legacy plan.
At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman we focus on practical, client-centered estate planning solutions for individuals and families in Mira Monte and across California. Our team guides clients through trust design, trust funding, and coordinating insurance policies with broader estate documents such as wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives. We take time to learn your family dynamics, financial goals, and concerns so the ILIT aligns with your intentions. Our approach emphasizes clear communication and careful drafting to avoid unintended tax consequences and to help ensure your wishes are honored after you are gone.
An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust is a trust into which a life insurance policy is placed or purchased for the benefit of named beneficiaries. Once the trust is established and the policy is transferred or acquired by the trust, the policy generally sits outside the grantor’s taxable estate. This structure can help preserve estate value and provide designated distributions according to the trust’s terms. Establishing an ILIT requires careful attention to timing, ownership, and gift tax rules so that policy proceeds are excluded from the estate and distributed as intended upon the policyholder’s death.
Key parties in an ILIT include the grantor who sets up the trust, the trustee who manages the trust, and the beneficiaries who receive the proceeds. The grantor typically funds the trust with the means to pay insurance premiums or transfers an existing policy to the trust. Trustees must follow the trust document directives and federal tax rules. Because an ILIT is irrevocable, changes are limited once the trust is funded; nevertheless, well-drafted provisions can allow trustees to adapt to changing circumstances while preserving the core objective of keeping life insurance proceeds outside the estate for tax and asset-protection purposes.
An ILIT is a trust vehicle that holds a life insurance policy for the benefit of named beneficiaries, structured so the insurance proceeds are not part of the grantor’s probate estate. The trust owns the policy and the trustee administers premium payments, policy loans, and claim distributions according to the trust’s terms. Because the trust is irrevocable, it generally prevents the grantor from reclaiming ownership rights, which is necessary for the policy proceeds to be excluded from estate taxation. Proper setup and funding are essential to ensure the intended tax and distribution outcomes are achieved for beneficiaries.
Creating an ILIT involves selecting a trustee, drafting trust terms that reflect distribution goals, and transferring or purchasing a life insurance policy within the trust. The grantor must arrange premium funding, which can be done through gifts to the trust or other funding mechanisms. Trustees manage the policy and handle administration, including filing necessary tax returns and responding to claims. Coordination with other estate planning documents, such as a pour-over will or a certification of trust, ensures that the ILIT operates smoothly within a comprehensive plan and that beneficiaries receive the intended protections and liquidity at the time of a claim.
Understanding the language used in trust documents helps you make informed decisions. Important terms include grantor, trustee, beneficiary, premium funding, transfer-for-value rules, Crummey powers for gift access, and spendthrift provisions for creditor protection. Familiarity with these concepts clarifies how an ILIT functions, how it interacts with tax rules, and how it integrates with other estate planning documents. Clear definitions and careful drafting reduce the risk of disputes and maximize the trust’s intended benefits. Below are brief definitions of commonly referenced terms to guide your choices.
The grantor is the person who creates and funds the trust, often the owner of the life insurance policy when the ILIT is established. The grantor transfers ownership or contributes funds to the trust to pay policy premiums. Because an ILIT is irrevocable, the grantor gives up ownership rights over the policy and cannot unilaterally reclaim the assets once the trust is funded. The grantor’s decisions about trustee appointment, beneficiary designation, and trust provisions shape how policy proceeds will be managed and distributed at the time of the insured’s death.
The trustee is the individual or entity appointed to administer the ILIT according to its terms. Responsibilities typically include managing premium payments, keeping records, filing tax returns if necessary, and distributing proceeds to beneficiaries in accordance with the trust instrument. Trustees are expected to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries and to follow fiduciary duties set by law and by the trust document. Choosing a trustee who understands both financial administration and the family’s intentions helps ensure the trust functions as intended when the policy pays out.
Beneficiaries are the individuals or entities designated to receive the proceeds from the ILIT after the insured’s death. The trust document specifies how and when distributions occur, which can include lump-sum payments, staged distributions over time, or payments conditioned on certain events. Trust provisions can include protections against creditors, spendthrift clauses, or guidelines for how trustees should use funds to support beneficiaries’ needs. Proper beneficiary designation and clear instructions help ensure the trust assets are used as intended by the grantor.
Premium funding for an ILIT often involves making annual gifts to the trust large enough to cover policy premiums. To qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion, many ILITs use Crummey withdrawal powers that give beneficiaries a temporary right to withdraw gifted funds, thereby creating a present interest. In practice, trustees typically notify beneficiaries of gift amounts and the short withdrawal window, but the funds remain in the trust to pay premiums. Properly implemented Crummey provisions help the grantor utilize gift tax exclusions while ensuring the trust retains the funds to support the insurance policy.
An ILIT is one of several estate planning tools that address life insurance and distribution of assets. A revocable living trust provides flexibility during life but does not remove assets from the taxable estate. A pour-over will works with a living trust to move intestate assets into trust upon death. An ILIT is distinct because it is irrevocable and aims to exclude insurance proceeds from estate tax calculations. Choosing between options depends on goals such as tax planning, creditor protection, control over distributions, and the desired level of post-death management for beneficiaries and family interests.
For families with modest estates and straightforward asset distribution goals, a limited approach that focuses on beneficiary designations and a revocable trust may be sufficient. If potential estate tax exposure is minimal and liquidity needs at death are modest, keeping life insurance policies within a revocable trust or naming beneficiaries directly may offer easier administration without the complexity of an irrevocable trust. This approach can reduce paperwork and ongoing administration while still providing prompt benefits to heirs and integrating with documents like a last will and testament or powers of attorney.
If maintaining control and flexibility over assets during life is the top priority, a revocable living trust or direct beneficiary designations may be preferable to an ILIT. Revocable arrangements allow the grantor to alter beneficiaries, amend terms, or revoke the trust entirely as circumstances change. Those who anticipate significant changes in family dynamics, finances, or health often choose more flexible tools, recognizing that such options may not provide the same level of estate tax sheltering or creditor protection that an irrevocable trust can deliver.
A comprehensive plan ensures that an ILIT, wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives work together coherently. Coordination prevents conflicting beneficiary designations and unintended estate tax consequences. For instance, funding a trust properly and aligning beneficiary forms with trust provisions reduce the risk of probate complications. A coordinated approach clarifies which assets pass outside probate, how liquidity needs are met, and how decision-making occurs in the event of incapacity, providing peace of mind for families during life and at the time of a claim.
Complex family dynamics, blended families, significant business interests, or potential estate tax exposure often require a comprehensive plan to balance protection, control, and fairness. An ILIT can be one component among trusts addressing special needs, retirement accounts, business succession, and long-term care planning. Tailoring documents to family circumstances helps ensure that proceeds are used to support intended beneficiaries and that assets are preserved for future generations while addressing creditor concerns and tax considerations.
Integrating an ILIT into a wider estate plan creates a coordinated strategy for both immediate liquidity needs and long-term distribution goals. It helps ensure that life insurance proceeds are available to settle taxes and debts without forcing the sale of family assets, while other instruments like revocable trusts and pour-over wills manage property transfer and incapacity planning. This alignment minimizes administrative friction at the time of a claim and provides a clear framework for trustees and executors to follow, which can reduce conflict and speed distributions to beneficiaries.
A comprehensive approach also provides layered protections, combining the tax advantages of an ILIT with the flexibility of other documents to address changing circumstances. Powers of attorney and advance health care directives ensure decision-making continuity if you become unable to manage affairs, while guardianship nominations and special needs trusts preserve care for dependent or vulnerable beneficiaries. Overall, a bundled plan delivers a cohesive path to preserve wealth, maintain family stability, and ensure your intentions are carried out as you envisioned.
One clear benefit of using an ILIT within a broader plan is preserving estate value by removing life insurance proceeds from the taxable estate and providing immediate funds to pay taxes and debts. This liquidity prevents forced asset sales and helps maintain the continuity of family-owned businesses or real property. When paired with trusts that manage asset distribution, an ILIT helps ensure beneficiaries receive intended support while minimizing the financial disruption that can occur when estate resources are tied up in probate or illiquid holdings.
An ILIT allows for careful control over how life insurance proceeds are used and distributed, with options to stagger distributions, set conditions, or protect funds from creditors. Combined with spendthrift clauses and other trust mechanisms, this approach helps preserve assets for beneficiaries who may need financial guidance or protection. Trustees can be instructed to manage proceeds for education, support, or long-term care, giving the grantor confidence that funds will be handled according to a considered plan even after the grantor’s death.
Selecting the right trustee is essential because this person or entity will manage premium payments, maintain records, and carry out distribution instructions when a claim is paid. Trustees should be capable of handling administrative tasks, communicating with beneficiaries, and complying with tax and reporting obligations. If you prefer institutional stability, a trust company or bank may be appropriate; if personal knowledge of family dynamics is important, a trusted individual can be appointed. Clear trust terms and successor trustee provisions add continuity and reduce the likelihood of disputes after the grantor’s passing.
Coordinate the ILIT’s terms and beneficiary designations with other estate planning documents to avoid conflicts and unintended outcomes. A pour-over will, revocable living trust, financial and health care powers of attorney, and guardian nominations for minors should be reviewed together so the entire estate plan achieves consistent goals. Regular reviews help accommodate life changes like marriage, divorce, births, or shifts in finances. A coordinated plan reduces the risk of probate surprises and helps ensure that proceeds and assets are distributed according to your intentions.
Consider an ILIT if you want to remove life insurance proceeds from your taxable estate, provide immediate liquidity for estate obligations, or ensure structured distributions for heirs. An ILIT is particularly useful when estate tax exposure could reduce legacy value or when beneficiaries would benefit from managed distributions rather than receiving large lump sums outright. This trust can also offer creditor protection and coordination with other planning tools, making it a thoughtful option for those seeking to protect family assets and provide for future generations while addressing practical concerns at the time of a claim.
An ILIT is also worth considering when you have complex family arrangements, a business to preserve, or beneficiaries who require ongoing support. Because the trust can be drafted to include detailed distribution instructions and protective provisions, it can help manage the transfer of wealth in a way that aligns with long-term family goals. Additionally, using an ILIT alongside retirement plan trusts, special needs trusts, and other instruments can create a layered plan that addresses taxation, care needs, and the continuity of family assets across generations.
People often establish ILITs when they have significant life insurance holdings, anticipate estate tax exposure, or need to provide liquidity for estate settlement costs. Other common circumstances include protecting proceeds from creditors, preserving family businesses, providing for minor children or beneficiaries with special needs, and arranging for orderly distributions across multiple generations. The decision to use an ILIT depends on personal and financial goals, but these scenarios illustrate how an ILIT can address specific estate planning challenges that a simple beneficiary designation or revocable trust might not fully resolve.
When potential estate tax liability could substantially reduce the assets passed to heirs, an ILIT helps keep life insurance proceeds outside the grantor’s taxable estate, preserving value for beneficiaries. This approach can be particularly helpful for those with illiquid assets such as real estate or family businesses where selling assets to cover taxes would be undesirable. Properly timed transfers and adherence to tax rules are essential to achieve these benefits, so attentive planning and coordination with overall estate strategy are important to obtain the intended results.
An ILIT can protect resources for children, elderly parents, or beneficiaries with health or financial vulnerabilities by setting terms for managed distributions and including spendthrift protections. Trust provisions can direct trustees to use funds for education, healthcare, housing, or ongoing support, reducing the risk that beneficiaries mishandle a sudden inheritance. For families with dependents who need long-term care or structured financial support, an ILIT offers a controlled and legally enforceable way to provide for needs while guarding against creditors or poor financial decisions.
When a family business or hard-to-liquidate assets are central to the estate, an ILIT provides liquidity to cover estate taxes or buyouts without forcing the sale of essential holdings. The trust proceeds can be directed to support business continuation, provide buyout funds for co-owners or heirs, or ensure that real estate remains within the family. Careful coordination with business succession planning and other trusts helps maintain stability and continuity for enterprises and property that are important to the family’s long-term financial and emotional legacy.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman offers ILIT planning and full estate coordination for residents of Mira Monte and surrounding communities in Ventura County. We offer in-person and remote consultations to review your life insurance arrangements, draft trust instruments, and coordinate funding and beneficiary designations. Our practice also assists with related documents such as pour-over wills, power of attorney, advance health care directives, and guardianship nominations. We strive to provide clear guidance and practical solutions so families can implement plans that reflect their values and protect future generations.
Clients turn to our firm for comprehensive attention to detail when establishing ILITs and integrating them with other estate planning instruments. We prioritize clear communication and careful drafting that addresses tax considerations, trustee responsibilities, and beneficiary protections. Our team assists with premium funding strategies, Crummey notices, and ongoing administration tasks so the trust remains effective and compliant. We emphasize practical solutions that reflect family values and long-term goals while minimizing the administrative burden on trustees and heirs.
Our approach includes reviewing existing insurance and estate documents to identify gaps or conflicts, recommending structures that align with your objectives, and preparing the necessary trust instruments and funding steps. We also help you choose and document an appropriate trustee and successor trustees to ensure continuity. By coordinating the ILIT with pour-over wills, revocable trusts, and advance directives, we help families reduce surprises and provide a smoother transition when the insured passes away.
Beyond initial drafting, we offer guidance on routine administration matters such as premium payment documentation, annual gifting mechanisms, and responses to beneficiary inquiries. If circumstances change, we discuss possible strategies to address new needs while respecting the trust’s irrevocable nature. Our goal is to support clients through each stage of the process, from planning and funding to claim handling and distribution, so the intended benefits reach those you wish to provide for at the right time and in accordance with your wishes.
Our process begins with a detailed consultation to review your assets, life insurance policies, and family goals. We then recommend an ILIT structure tailored to those objectives and prepare the trust document, beneficiary designations, and funding steps. After trust execution, we assist with transferring or purchasing the policy, setting up premium funding, and preparing any required notices to beneficiaries. We also provide a roadmap for trustees on recordkeeping, premium payments, and claim procedures so the trust functions as intended over time.
During the first phase we assess your financial situation, existing estate documents, and life insurance holdings to determine whether an ILIT aligns with your goals. We discuss trustee options, funding strategies, and distribution preferences, and identify any tax or timing considerations that could affect effectiveness. This collaborative review helps us draft trust provisions that reflect your intentions and integrates the ILIT with revocable trusts, wills, and other critical documents for a cohesive estate plan.
We take time to understand family dynamics, beneficiary needs, and long-term objectives so the ILIT provisions address real-world concerns. Topics include whether beneficiaries need staged distributions, creditor protection, trusts for minors or individuals with special needs, and how proceeds should be allocated for expenses like taxes or business succession. This conversation shapes the trust’s structure and helps identify the most appropriate trustee and funding approach to accomplish the plan’s goals.
A thorough review of existing life insurance policies, beneficiary designations, and financial accounts helps us determine whether transfer, purchase, or beneficiary changes are needed. We identify potential pitfalls, such as transfer-for-value issues or lapses in premium funding, and recommend steps to avoid unintended tax consequences. Ensuring documentation is aligned with trust objectives reduces the chance of disputes and helps ensure the ILIT will deliver the intended benefits to heirs when the policy pays out.
Once the plan is finalized, we prepare the ILIT document and related paperwork, including funding instructions, notices, and any ancillary documents such as pour-over wills or certification of trust. We review draft language with you to confirm distribution terms and trustee powers. After execution, we assist with transferring a current policy to the trust or arranging for the trust to acquire a new policy and documenting the funding plan for premiums, including any necessary gift notices.
The trust document spells out trustee duties, beneficiary rights, distribution timing, and any protective provisions you want in place. We include provisions for successor trustees, record keeping, and guidance on how trustees should use funds to meet beneficiaries’ needs. Clear, precise drafting reduces administrative ambiguity and supports efficient management of the trust when the policy proceeds are paid.
After signing, we assist with the legal steps to transfer ownership or arrange for the trust to own the policy and set up premium funding. This may include preparing gift documentation, providing Crummey notices if appropriate, and coordinating with insurers to confirm trust ownership. Proper execution and timely funding are essential to maintain policy coverage and achieve the anticipated estate planning results.
Following trust funding, trustees are responsible for ongoing administration including premium payments, recordkeeping, and compliance with tax and reporting requirements. We provide trustees with instructions and templates for annual notices and documentation. When the insured passes away, trustees file the claim with the insurer and manage proceeds according to the trust document, distributing funds to beneficiaries or using resources for estate obligations as directed. We can assist trustees through the claim and distribution process to help ensure smooth administration.
Trustees benefit from clear guidance on handling premium funding receipts, maintaining accurate records, and responding to beneficiary inquiries. We provide practical checklists and support for routine administration tasks so the trust remains in good standing over time. Proper oversight helps avoid inadvertent mistakes that could jeopardize the trust’s objectives and ensures funds are available when needed for policy payments or claims.
When a life insurance claim is presented, trustees must file necessary paperwork with the insurer and manage the receipt and distribution of proceeds according to the trust terms. This includes paying debts or estate taxes if directed, and making beneficiary disbursements as outlined in the document. Timely claim handling and accurate accounting support transparency and trust among beneficiaries and help ensure the grantor’s intended legacy is delivered efficiently.
An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust is a trust that owns a life insurance policy for the benefit of named beneficiaries and is drafted so that policy proceeds are not included in the grantor’s taxable estate. The trust holds the policy and sets the rules for how proceeds will be administered and distributed when the insured passes away. People choose ILITs to provide liquidity for estate obligations, protect assets from probate, and direct how insurance benefits are used to support heirs. The trust’s irrevocable nature is part of what enables the desired tax and distribution results. Setting up an ILIT requires careful planning including trustee selection, funding strategies, and clear distribution provisions. Because the grantor gives up ownership rights, proper drafting and funding steps are necessary to avoid unintended tax consequences. An ILIT is often created in coordination with other estate planning documents like revocable trusts, pour-over wills, and powers of attorney so the full plan functions coherently and aligns with family and financial goals.
An ILIT keeps life insurance proceeds out of the taxable estate by transferring ownership of the policy to the trust, so the grantor no longer holds the legal rights associated with the policy. When the trust properly owns the policy at the time of the insured’s death, the proceeds are typically payable to the trust and not counted as part of the grantor’s estate for estate tax calculations. Timing of transfers and compliance with tax rules are essential to achieve this outcome. To ensure exclusion from the estate, transfers must respect the applicable legal and tax rules, including timing requirements related to three-year look-back periods for certain transfers. Working through the transfer process carefully and documenting premium funding helps avoid pitfalls and ensures the trust’s intended benefits are realized by beneficiaries at the time of claim.
A trustee should be someone or an institution that can reliably manage administrative duties such as premium payments, recordkeeping, and communication with beneficiaries and insurers. Options include a trusted family member, a close friend, a professional fiduciary, or a financial institution, depending on the complexity of the trust and family dynamics. The chosen trustee should understand the responsibilities and be willing to follow the trust’s terms to carry out the grantor’s intentions. It is also important to name successor trustees and provide clear instructions to guide decision-making. Trustee selection balances personal knowledge of family needs and the administrative capacity required to manage the trust. Having a well-documented plan reduces the chance of disputes and makes ongoing administration more efficient for everyone involved.
Premiums are typically funded through gifts to the trust, which the trustee then uses to pay insurance premiums. Many ILITs rely on annual gifting strategies that take advantage of gift tax exclusions, sometimes implemented with Crummey withdrawal rights that create a present interest for beneficiaries. Careful documentation of gifts and timely notices to beneficiaries help support the intended tax treatment for premium funding. Alternative funding strategies can involve larger lump-sum gifts, contributions from other trust assets, or coordination with other estate planning instruments. Regardless of the approach, the ongoing ability to pay premiums must be planned so the policy remains in force and the trust achieves its purpose. Trustees should maintain clear records of all transfers and premium payments for compliance and accounting.
Transferring an existing policy into an ILIT is often possible but requires attention to timing and tax rules. A key consideration is the transfer-for-value rule and potential estate inclusion if the policy is transferred too close to the insured’s death. In some cases, moving a policy to the trust immediately triggers gift tax considerations or may not achieve the desired estate exclusion if the transfer occurs within a certain period prior to death. Before transferring a policy, it is important to review the policy’s terms, any loan or cash value features, and the tax implications. We typically evaluate whether to transfer an in-force policy or to have the trust acquire a new policy, and we document the transfer and funding plan to minimize unintended consequences and ensure the ILIT functions as intended.
Crummey powers are temporary withdrawal rights given to beneficiaries to create a present interest in annual gifts to the ILIT, which helps those gifts qualify for the federal gift tax annual exclusion. Practically, trustees notify beneficiaries of the gift and the limited time during which they could withdraw the amount; beneficiaries usually do not exercise the withdrawal right, allowing the funds to remain in the trust to pay premiums. Properly implemented Crummey provisions support tax-efficient premium funding when used correctly. When using Crummey powers, documentation and timely notices are important to validate the gift’s status. Trustees must record the notices and any beneficiary responses. The mechanism provides a way to fund premiums with annual exclusion gifts while maintaining the trust’s funding for ongoing policy costs and preserving the grantor’s intended estate planning benefits.
An ILIT can be tailored to support beneficiaries with special needs by directing trustees to provide funds for supplemental care while protecting public benefits such as Medi-Cal. Provisions may include separate subtrusts or language allowing distributions for quality-of-life expenses rather than basic needs that could affect governmental benefit eligibility. A carefully drafted plan ensures that the beneficiary’s long-term care requirements and financial protections are addressed in concert with other planning tools like special needs trusts. Coordination among trusts and benefit-planning instruments is essential to avoid jeopardizing eligibility for means-tested programs. Trustees should receive clear instructions on how to manage distributions in a manner that supports the beneficiary without unintentionally reducing access to public assistance. Regular reviews help keep the approach aligned with any changes in benefits rules or family circumstances.
An ILIT can support business succession planning by providing liquidity to cover estate taxes or to fund buyouts between owners, helping prevent forced sales of a business. Life insurance proceeds placed in the ILIT can be allocated to heirs or used to buy out a deceased owner’s interest according to a buy-sell agreement. This approach helps maintain stability and continuity for family-owned enterprises while addressing financial obligations that may arise at death. Coordination with business succession agreements, shareholder buy-sell provisions, and other trusts is important to ensure proceeds are used as intended and to minimize disputes among owners or heirs. Properly drafted trust and business documents align the commercial goals with estate planning objectives so that businesses can continue operating smoothly after the owner’s death.
If a policy lapses after being placed in an ILIT, the intended benefits for beneficiaries may be lost, and there could be unexpected tax or estate planning consequences. Lapses can occur from missed premium payments or inadequate funding, underscoring the importance of a reliable funding mechanism and attentive trust administration. Trustees should monitor premium payments and maintain records to prevent lapses and to demonstrate proper administration of the trust assets. When a lapse occurs, options may be limited depending on policy provisions and timing, but sometimes policies can be reinstated or replaced if done promptly. Addressing the cause of the lapse and exploring remedial steps with the insurer and legal counsel can help mitigate the impact and preserve the grantor’s overall estate planning objectives where possible.
Review ILITs and related estate documents regularly and after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in finances or business holdings. Regular reviews ensure that trustee appointments, beneficiary designations, and funding strategies remain aligned with your goals and that trust provisions reflect current family circumstances. Periodic assessments help identify issues like funding shortfalls or beneficiary changes that might require planning adjustments. Even though an ILIT is irrevocable, many surrounding documents and funding methods can be adjusted. Ongoing communication with your legal advisor and trustee keeps documentation accurate and helps the plan remain effective. Reviews also ensure the ILIT coordinates with other components of your estate plan for consistent administration when a claim arises.
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