New York estate planning lawyers are often tasked with advising their clients as to how to choose the proper people to administer their estates. The people they designate are put in positions of immense trust and responsibility. Whether the client is designating an executor/executrix, a trustee, or a power of attorney, the client must exercise extreme caution as to whom they entrust with these duties.

In many cases, the natural choices for these estate administration positions are the family members of the decedent. After all, the decedent's family members are most likely to be in touch with the decedent's wishes and to have an idea as to the decedent's assets. It is not uncommon, however, for a decedent's own family member to abuse his or her position of power over the estate administration. As the following case demonstrates, impropriety is always possible where there is a financial gain at stake, even amongst family.

In re Goodwin, NYLJ, Apr. 10, 2012, at 31 (Sur. Ct. Suffolk County) involves a dispute between a brother and sister over the administration of their mother's will. Mildred Goodwin, the decedent, appointed her daughter, Maureen Burns, as executrix of her estate and executed a durable power of attorney to entrust Burns with acting in the best interest of the estate's finances. Before Mildred Goodwin died, Burns opened several bank accounts that were jointly titled in hers and Mildred's names. Burns consulted a New York elder law estate planning attorney to help execute an inter vivos transfer of estate assets from Mildred's estate to the jointly titled bank accounts. The transfers were characterized as gifts, and there was little doubt that Burns was to be the sole beneficiary of the funds.

Sensing impropriety, Mildred Goodwin's son and Burns' brother, Robert Goodwin, filed a petition with the Suffolk County Surrogates Court to compel Burns, as executrix of the Goodwin estate, to disclose the assets and affairs of the estate. Included with Robert's petition was the contention that Mildred Goodwin was suffering from dementia at the time the inter vivos gifts were executed. Robert submitted medical records as evidence of his contention. He also contended that the purpose of the wealth transfers were to help Mildred qualify for certain government programs, and that Burns' access to the funds before the decedent's death was inconsistent with a Family Agreement they had previously executed. The Agreement, signed by Burns, expressly stated that the same funds were to be dispersed as part of the decedent's will, and not inter vivos.

The Surrogates Court agreed. The Court noted the long standing principle that one who has power of attorney initiating inter vivos transfers to him- or herself is presumed to be acting with impropriety unless he or she can overcome the presumption with a showing that the principal was of sound mind and had the requisite intent to make the gift. Additionally, the purpose of any such gift may not be for the financial benefit of the attorney in fact. The gift must further some type of financial, estate, or tax plans.

Here, Maureen Burns was the attorney in fact. There was evidence that Burns initiated the gift transfers for personal gain, all while Mildred Goodwin was not of sound mind to object to the transfers. Evidence rules barred Burns from testifying on her behalf because Mildred Goodwin was no longer alive to either corroborate or contravene Burns' account of Mildred's capacity and intent at the time of the gifts. Accordingly, the Surrogates Court entered summary judgment on behalf of the petitioner, and the funds were returned to the estate.

New York estate planners see a similar refrain all too often; not even family can be trusted sometimes.

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors was recently polled to get an idea of common surprises encountered by their clients--those planning for retirement. A a Chicago Tribune article highlighted one of the most common responses from those advisors: a failure to appreciate the need to set aside significant income for a surviving spouse.

Our New York estate planning lawyers understand the inherent complexity of this issue. It is one thing to examine how long an individual is expected to live, subtract that from their current age, and determine how much is needed each of those years. By no means is this an exact science, but it is somewhat intuitive to roughly understand how much a single individual needs to retire. Things quickly get confusing, however, when spouses get thrown into the mix. Tackling this dilemma for locals is a key part of New York estate planning.

As one planner interviewed for the story noted, "One thing people don't plan for is the reduction of income if a spouse or partner dies."

Think about Social Security. When two partners are alive, each may receive Social Security benefits. However, if one of the spouses die the income will disappear. Even taking into account a larger benefit for the surviving spouse, the overall family income will be lower than before. Similar problems can arise for those living off a pension. A spouse's death may cause the pension income to dry up. If not accounted for, this can thrown some seniors into a financial tailspin, with insufficient funds to pay monthly obligations.

One professional interviewed for the story explained a recent client whose retirement income dropped 35% following her husband's passing, with a marginal 10% decrease in expenses. This ultimately required a significant lifestyle change for the woman at the very moment when she craved stability following the loss.

Estate planning attorneys appreciate the value in preventing this situation. Various tactics can be used to minimize the long-term consequences and provide more stability no matter what the future holds. For instance, a higher-earning spouse may choose to refrain from taking Social Security. This may earn her "delayed credits" up to 8% a year until the age of 70. If that spouses passes on, the surviving spouse may be able to switch to the value of the other's benefit, including delayed credits and cost-of-living adjustments.

For pensions a "joint and survivor annuity" might be appropriate, where less is paid out monthly for the peace of mind of knowing that income will continue even if the pensioner dies first.

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NuWire News published an interesting blog post last week that runs down a few ways that community members can use estate planning techniques to protect assets in "uncertain times." Of course, our New York estate planning lawyers realize that uncertainty exists at all times, because no one knows for sure what tomorrow might bring. However, there are always some circumstances when future financial trouble seems particularly likely--such as when one might need long-term care either at home or a long-term care facility. The article authors note that it is always beneficial to shield assets before they become a target, otherwise, depending on the circumstances, there are a range of penalties that may attached to the conveyance. For example, when it comes to applying for New York Medicaid, it is vital that asset transfers be made at least five years before applying. Strategies exist to protect assets even when on the nursing home doorstep (without five years to wait), but there is much more than can be done the earlier one takes the time to plan for these issues.

Outside of the long-term care context, there is similar benefit from protecting assets well ahead of time, before they may be targeted by a creditor. The article discusses ten different techniques that may be applicable, depending on one's circumstances. For example, the story discusses spousal gifting trusts. These are special trusts (also known as irrevocable grantor trusts) that allow married couples to protect assets from creditors and estate taxes while still retaining control and use of the assets.

Obviously insurance considerations are also important for protecting assets in uncertain times. After all, insurance is all about having security in the face of potential problems down the road. Long-term care insurance is clearly helpful to account for senior care costs. Unfortunately, that particular insurance is often out of reach for middle class community members. However, even basic life insurance should not be forgotten when thinking about estate plans. For younger families with children life insurance provides security in the case of untimely death. For wealthier families the insurance can also be important to protect assets from estate taxes.

At the end of the day there is a seemingly endless array of combinations that may work in each individual case to protect assets from the uncertainty of the future. In many cases a combination of trusts, gifts, donations, insurances, and other strategies combine to protect assets from taxes, long-term care costs, and creditors. Sadly, many community members fail to take advantage of these options until it is too late, when the adverse event--death, divorce, lawsuit--has already occurred.

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Last week an article in the Mansfield Patch listed "Five Vital Estate Planning Mistakes" made by local community members. The list touched on a few issues that each New York estate planning lawyer in our firm has seen time and again. Like history, these errors tend to repeat themselves. Being aware of the common problems is the best way to ensure you don't make them yourself.

Of course common mistake number one is putting off estate planning efforts entirely. Passing on is usually not a topic that most enjoy thinking about. Estate plans inherently involve some considerations and preparations in the event that one is no longer alive, and so many simply avoid the idea altogether. This delay ultimately serves no purpose. As the article author remarks tough-in-cheek, "If you don't die before retirement, chances are pretty good you'll die sometimes afterwards." Considering that death is inevitable, there is simply no logical reason to do no planning and risk paying more in taxes, the uncertainty of the probate process, or the potential squabbling of family members.

Second on the list was failure to consider naming guardians for one's children. While most local residents conducting New York estate planning have adult children, planning is important for younger community members as well, particularly those who have young children. When crafting an elder law estate plan for clients, we always take into account the family dynamics involved. When young children are present it is important to make plans for those children in the event something happens to you, the parent. This is another task that is often put off, because it is not pleasant to think about orphaned youngsters. However, at the end of the day failing to name a guardian only means that the buck will be passed to some other decision maker if anything happens--usually the court. No one is better positioned than a parent to name a potential replacement in case of tragedy, and so it is always prudent for parents to do so.

Another common mistake includes failing to update policy beneficiaries. Single parents or those who are divorced are more susceptible to this error. For example, when their children are young a single parent may name a grandparent as a beneficiary on things like an IRA, 401(k), or life insurance policy. They then fail to change that designation down the road, after their children have grown. Similarly, divorced spouses often forget to change each other as named beneficiaries after the divorce.

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To ring in 2012, many New York estate planning attorneys urged local residents to use the holiday as a reminder of the importance of preparing for inheritance and disability. A humorous Huffington Post article yesterday walked readers down the same path. The story noted that even conducting the most rudimentary planning puts one ahead of the curve, as anywhere from 58-65% of Americans have done no planning whatsoever. In explaining her own reluctance to plan, the story's author quipped, "I got a trust together a few years ago but haven't really planned for life two years from now, never mind when I'm in the Great Beyond, since I'm too busy planning for the Great Here and Now."

The author rightly notes that estate planning is linked to death--an unpleasant connection that makes many put off thinking about it. Children are often the difference maker. It was explained that "when children come into the picture parents often enter the Kingdom of Anxiety, and concerns about what we leave behind are harder to sweep under the carpet." For the author, her wake-up call came when she realized that not visiting an estate planning lawyer to figure things out ahead of time meant that if anything happened to her, decisions about who would care for her children would be decided by then-anonymous decision makers in the probate court system.

Obviously all parents have an interest in ensuring their children are cared for properly no matter what the future holds. So what prevents many from conducting even basic planning? The author believes that part of the problem is the word "estate." Many hear the word and assume that "estate planning" is only for those with large portfolios, several homes, and valuable possessions. Sadly, many community members never realize that one needn't have vast wealth to gain immensely from estate planning. Besides deciding who will care for children and divvying up assets, planning also helps loved one's deal with the traumatic time after a passing.

Also, unpleasant as it might seem now, many have reported that the estate planning process forces one into the incredibly worthwhile task of thinking about where one's life is now, where it is headed, and what is still left to accomplish. The Huffington Post story references the irreverent book "A Lively Guide to the Bitter End," which explains, "of all the traits that distinguish humans from other animals...perhaps the most fundamental is our awareness of our inevitable deaths...What we do with that awareness is another story entirely."

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Most local residents will nod in agreement when one explains the importance of conducting New York estate planning as soon as possible. It is easy for most to understand the value of planning an inheritance, saving on taxes, and preparing for alternative decision makers. Yet, all estate planning lawyers know that there is a difference between recognizing the importance of a task and actually taking the time to get it done. Psychologists have found that when it comes to making the leap from knowing that a task should be completed to actually doing it, personal examples are usually the most effective motivators. It is one thing to learn about the value of planning, it is another to hear about a specific case of proper planning that helped an actual person. In fact, experts have also found that even more effective than stories of positive benefits are stories of plans gone awry. The stick is often more persuasive than the carrot.

That is where the estate planning misadventures of the rich and famous can be useful. Unfortunately, recent history is replete with stories of many well-known figures who did not take care of their affairs properly (or at all) before their passing. This week the SM Mirror ran down a quick list of some of the more well-known cases of celebrity estate planning blunders. A few included examples:

Jimi Hendrix
The great young guitarist passed away tragically at the age of twenty seven. As is common for those around that age, Mr. Hendrix did not have a will. Possession of his estate was disputed for decades, with Mr. Hendrix's father officially taking ownership twenty years after the death. Upon the father's passing, everything went to the father's daughter from a second marriage. The father had adopted the daughter who was his second wife's child from her former marriage. That means that Mr. Hendrix's nearly $80 million fortune (which continues to grow) is owned by someone he never knew. This is the case even though there remain many family members who are still alive and were much closer companions to Mr. Hendrix during his life.

Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando supposedly explained to his long-time housekeeper that she would be able to keep the home in which they lived following his death. She had been living there for years beforehand. However, the promise was never committed to writing. Oral promises are easily contested and often invalid. Upon Mr. Brando's death the housekeeper lost her bid for the home and received only a small settlement.

Anna Nicole Smith
The model and TV reality star died without updating a will she had written six years earlier. The old will left everything to her son Daniel. However, Daniel had died several months before Ms. Smith. Therefore, the probate court will likely have to apply default rules to determine how her assets are distributed. However, the case remained unresolved five years after her death, because Ms. Smith herself was involved in a fifteen year battle for a share in the assets of her billionaire former husband after his own will was contested.

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Many local families create their New York estate plan with potential family feuds in minds. History is replete with examples of siblings, parents, children, in-laws, and others being torn apart following disagreement regarding the passing of assets at the death of a loved one. Legal challenges following a death are very common. The legal fights are even more likely to occur when a significant amount of assets are involved, there is surprise about how they will be distributed, or inadequate estate planning has been conducted forcing the matter to be decided in the courtroom. Many parents have made the mistake of assuming that "the kids will figure it out" when it comes time to pass on assets. Unfortunately, that exact mindset has led to entire families descended into dispute. The fighting can last for years or, in some cases, even decades.

For example, last week Forbes touched on the case of the famed civil rights legend Martin Luther King Jr. MLK had not created an estate plan before he died; he did not even have a will. As a result, the distribution of his affairs was left entirely to the courts with the predictable family fighting that ensued--and still continues. Some time ago the King family children engaged in a series of back-and-forth legal battles following the creation of a corporation to manage King's estate. The lawsuits lasted for years before a settlement was finally reached between the children.

However, the possession of certain assets continues to be fought by the corporation (The Estate of Martin Luther King Jr., Inc.). Recently the estate sued the son of one of the Reverend's former secretaries (an old family friend) claiming that the secretary possessed historical documents related to MLK. The documents apparently include handwritten letters, speech transcripts, newsletters, and similar materials. According to the secretary, Dr. King gave her the documents over the years, and she always assumed them to be her personal property. He apparently never asked for them back over the decade and a half that the secretary worked for the Reverend.

The King Estate Corporation recently sued the family when it learned of the existence of the documents. The family friends are hoping to end the legal fight early, because they presumably do not have the funds to support a prolonged (and expensive) legal battle over ownership of the documents. The Estate is arguing that the documents were given by an employer to an employee, but the family friends insist that they were gifts. Resolution of this issue will come down to what Dr. King actually intended when he handed the materials over. Proving one's mental state is difficult at all times, let alone when it relates to events that happened half a century in the past. All of the fighting can be avoided by making ones intentions known explicitly through use of legal documents like wills and trusts.

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New York estate planning mishaps and disputes often make headlines when they involve large sums of wealth and larger-than-life characters. Perhaps none has received more publicity recently than that surrounding the "grand dame of New York City society," Brooke Astor. Ms. Astor died four years ago at the ripe age of one hundred and five. However, inheritance and tax issues continue to rage around her estate and they show no sign of nearing a resolution. As discussed in Forbes, seven new lawsuits were recently filed by her estate refuting IRS demands that she owe an additional $62 million in taxes.

It seems that one of the key issues is the overall size of her estate. Every New York estate planning lawyer knows that the total value of an estate is a fundamental factor in evaluating the overall tax burden. A smaller taxable estate means a smaller tax. In some cases, if an estate is below a certain threshold, then certain taxes need not be paid at all. That is why most tax litigation involves dispute between the government and the individual (or their estate) about the total value of taxable assets. In this case, the government claims that the value of Ms. Astor's estate is $223 million, but representatives for Ms. Astor say the figure is around $93 million. Tens of millions of dollars in potential taxes hang in the balance depending on what sum the court ultimately decides is accurate. The tax bill could be anywhere from $35 million to $97 million. The disagreement between the parties centers mostly on charitable bequests (totaling $96 million) that the estate claims can be deducted but which the IRS disputes. In addition, the IRS claims that there was $20 million in lifetime gifts which should have been included. Part of the IRS request includes over $2 million in penalties for the failure to file and pay those gift taxes properly.

The estate admits that certain gift tax returns were not filed. However, many of those gifts were to her son, who was earlier convicted of 14 different crimes related to neglecting her care and stealing from her estate. Many estate planning attorneys have used the drama surrounding Ms. Astor's estate and her son's crimes as an example of what can go wrong when a Power of Attorney is in the wrong hands. As the Forbes article author noted, "the Astor case is a reminder to families that it's important to make sure you get these basic estate and disability planning document right."

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New York Estate Planning is Much More than Wills & Trusts

In many cases the most difficult aspect of conducting proper New York estate planning is ensuring that everything necessary is taken into account. Experienced New York estate planning lawyers usually know what options make the most sense in any given situation, but those plans are less effective if certain aspects of a community members' situation are not accounted for within the overall plan. Few individuals forget to discuss assets like bank accounts and real estate. Fewer take the time to conduct less common planning needs, such as ensuring proper business succession details are in place.

Another often overlooked planning area involves art and antique collections. Last week Wealth Management discussed some tips for art succession planning. The authors noted many families have considerable wealth invested in their antique or art collections, but many fail to take much planning care with these items. The articles notes that "Many don't realize the true value of their 'stuff,' thinking that the antique toy collection, family jewelry, or painting passed down by grandpa have no significant worth for which succession planning is essential." Often that idea is misguided. A new Social Welfare Institute study from researchers out of Boston College found that in a few decades inter-generational asset transfers will total $41 trillion, of which roughly 10-13% will be art and antiques.

Considering that sizeable sum, it is incumbent that these objects be properly accounted for in all estate plans. Failure to do so is a serious preparation mistake. Not accounting for these assets may result in significant tax liabilities. Also, without proper evaluation there may be large discrepancies in the asset allocation to heirs--with one child getting much more than another accidentally. Even worse, heirs may dispose of collectibles at rates much less than their actual worth if they do not suspect something is valuable and are not given any guidance on its worth.

To avoid these problems, residents should follow a few basic steps. For one thing, an up-to-date art and antique inventory is essential to start the planning. For more advanced collectors, specially designed software can be purchased to better keep track of these items. Also, all items should have a qualified appraisal and valuation. All purchase and sale records regarding these items should be maintained adequately. When meeting with an estate planning attorney, it is important to keep them aware of the extent and value of these collections. The advisors will be able to explain what strategies are most appropriate. For example, depending on long-term wishes, an irrevocable trust or charitable remainder trust might be logical options.

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Yesterday there was a new twist in the high-profile New York estate planning story involving Huguette Clark, the woman who died this year leaving behind a $400 million Gilded Age fortune. As we discussed earlier this week, the woman's family was not provided for in her will. Instead her fortune was given mostly to a newly created art charity with some benefits going to her long-time nurse, attorney, and accountant. Instead of using various trusts to ensure the woman's estate was transferred seamless per her wishes, her New York estate planning attorney surprisingly utilized only a will. Expectedly, the will has been challenged by the woman's family.

However, new information was just released revealing that Ms. Clark actually signed two wills, one only a few weeks before the other. According to a report by MSNBC, both wills were genuine, meaning that they were properly executed. The first will, seemingly revoked by the signing of the second will, would have left her fortune to her family. The family filed the first will with the court yesterday--the first step in what will assuredly be a prolonged battled over the Clark family millions. The attorney representing the disinherited family members claimed that the case involved "undue influence and exploitation of a very elderly and extraordinarily wealthy woman at the hands of two professionals who, with the help of certain others...ultimately stripped her of her free will, as well as millions of dollars."

As this situation demonstrates, it is incredibly ill-advised for any family to rely solely on a will to conduct inheritance planning, especially for families with large amounts of wealth. Like clockwork they almost always cause more problems than they solve. Will contests are common and virtually guaranteed to occur when two wills are signed in short succession with family members being cut out between them. In this case, while twenty one relatives would have split the fortune in the first will, the second gave a large amount to a nurse, small sums to an accountant and lawyer, and then put the rest in an art foundation that was to be managed by the same lawyer and accountant. That chain of events raises many red flags about the influence that the small group of individuals who benefitted from the second will had on the woman. It is made even more suspect by the fact that the estate planning attorney who was to benefit from the will was the same one that drew it up.

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New York estate planning is a necessity for virtually all local residents, no matter where on the income scale one falls. Easing the emotional, social, and financial burden on one's family and ensuring wishes are carried out upon one's death is important if one has $400,000 or $400 million to pass on. Unfortunately, New York estate planning mistakes are made at all income levels, often with serious results for the individuals involved. The most common mistake includes not taking advantage of all of the legal tools available. For example, while wills are still commonly thought of as a basic estate planning necessity, in truth they are becoming obsolete for many families. Trusts are much more useful in that they can avoid probate and provide for substitute decision-making if disability strikes. Yet, many local residents, including those with vast fortunes, still fail to take advantage of the benefits that trusts bring.

One high-profile local example is that of Huguette Clark. The reclusive heir to her father's copper and mining fortune died earlier this year at the age of 105. She was rumored to have more than $400 million at the time of her passing--an estate she inherited upon her father's death over eighty five years ago in 1925. Ms. Clark had been a mysterious figure, having lived in a hospital room since the late 1980s. She left her Fifth Avenue apartment empty for over twenty two years even though she was in relatively good health until just before her passing. Ms. Clark was long estranged from her family, and only a very small and intimate group of advisors had any contact with her for the last quarter century.

Surprisingly, even though she had such a large estate, Ms. Clark's advisors never had her create a trust to protect her long-term financial affairs. An article about her story published today by Forbes explains how most estate planning attorneys would have at least advised the client to utilize a revocable living trust, instead of a will. The need for a trust was made even more necessary considering the size of Ms. Clark's wealth. In addition, there are questions about the terms of the will--drafted and signed when Ms. Clark was ninety eight years old. The will left most of the woman's fortune to a newly created art fund and gave a significant amount to Ms. Clark's long-time nurse. However, the will also named a partner in the very law firm that drafted the will as a beneficiary. Even if this was the exact intent of Ms. Clark, the potential conflict of interest issues would usually counsel the firm in question not to prepare the will. Many other questions remain surrounding her advisors spending over $100 million of her estate in the last two decades of her life.

As it quite common when a will is used, Ms. Clark's family members have contested the will. They are claiming that she was mentally incompetent at the time she signed the document and will likely allege that the small group of advisors around her exercised undue influence. If successful, the distant family members may ultimately obtain the fortune. All of this fighting likely could have been averted had trusts been used to provide for her charity and pass along assets as intended.

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Our New York estate planning lawyers continue to advise local community members that wills are virtually obsolete for many residents. A will often creates more problems than it solves, because probate is still involved, the information is made public, and legal challenges to the will provisions are common. Estate planning is meant to simplify the transfer of assets, and wills often fail at that goal. Instead, the creation of trusts is usually a far superior method of saving taxes and streamlining the process to distribute assets quickly and seamlessly.

However, there may be limited situations where a will might be appropriate, depending on the age of the individual and their assets. As Forbes explained in an article last week, even when a will is used instead of a trust, it is vital to have professional help writing it. While do-it-yourself projects are worthwhile for home improvements and car maintenance, it is not the same vital financial planning tasks. When professional help is not sought and problems are created, it is only at the exact moment when the document is needed to work that its flaws come to light. At that point, there is no going back.

As the article explains, when done without experienced aid, wills are often filled with errors. For example, failing to sign the will, not updating it, or adding amendments improperly are common mistakes that can nullify the document. Without the guidance of professionals, imprecise wording is often used. It is much harder than many suspect to craft legal documents with language that is void of any ambiguity. Vague language is easy to misinterpret, and the one who knows for sure what was intended will not be around to explain the mistake. Estate planning lawyers are well versed in crafting legally precise terms in standard language that doesn't equivocate.

Besides making sure one's specific intentions are explained without ambiguity in the will, a legal professional can also ensure that important issues are considered and incorporated into the document if necessary. For example, when drafting a will on their own, many community members fail to consider important issues. What happens if an heir dies first? What happens when an asset distributed in a will is no longer owned when the will is executed? Who is responsible for paying the expenses on certain assets, like a house? A professional experienced in these matters can bring up these and many concerns that may need to be considered when going through the drafting process. This is particularly important in more complex situations, such as with blended families.

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Families across the country will come together to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday next week. As a Forbes article recently explained, the holiday is a perfect time to discuss estate planning issues, because the planning is all about helping out one's family. One of the main goals of an estate plan is to ensure that surviving family members will be taken care of and not forced to endure stressful, complicated, and costly procedures to get financial affairs in order following a death.

One way to broach the topic over Thanksgiving dinner, say the article authors, is to frame the talk in the context of high-profile celebrity stories. The article includes a list of the "Top 5 Celebrity-Based Estate Planning Conversation Starters." Kim Kardashian's story made the list to highlight the role that marriages have on one's estate. The socialite ended her seventy two day marriage last month. Of course all marriages (short and long) have significant effects on one's estate planning documents, and estate planning attorneys should be consulted when a marriage is entered into or ended. It is smart to make appropriate changes even before a divorce is finalized; otherwise the estranged spouse may still retain control if a death occurs before the separation is official.

The feud over Michael Jackson's estate is also ripe with lessons. It was explained how the music pop star created a trust before he died and named his mother, three children, and personal charity as beneficiaries. Two trustees were named to help manage the trust. Our New York estate planning lawyers help clients in our community create these legal entities all the time. However, besides creating the trust, it is vital that the trust be "funded." Funding is the process where assets are moved from an estate and into the trust. Failure to do this makes the trusts seemingly ineffective. That is where problems have arisen for the Jackson estate.

Michael Jackson's trust was never actually funded. That means that there was essentially nothing for the beneficiaries to receive--even though the singer's estate continues to grow. The deceased star's estate made a staggering $120 million last year alone. The unfunded trust problem has resulted in much in-fighting and legal wrangling. Also, because the property was not in the trust, it still had to pass through the probate court. It was only this week, two and half years after his death, that those in charge of the late singer's estate agreed to move $30 million from the estate into the trust. However, this step still does not guarantee that any of those assets will be given to the trust beneficiaries. The trustees still control the assets in the trust and will determine when any assets are distributed to beneficiaries and how much will be given.

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Our New York estate planning attorneys have decades of experience helping local families following the death of a loved one. We have come to appreciate the role that we play in this difficult time via the estate administration and probate settlement process. Financial uncertainty is the last thing that families need when struggling with emotions after losing a loved one.

A recent New York Life Foundation survey of local residents who had lost a spouse confirmed the vital role that New York estate planning plays in many lives. As reported yesterday in Life Health Pro, nearly sixty percent of survey respondents admitted that "losing my spouse has significantly impacted our standard of living." More than half of survey respondents explained that they were not financially prepared at the time that they lost their spouse. For those widows and widowers who still had children living with them at the time of the loss, the financial struggles were even more severe.

The report found that "nearly everything involving money--either on their own behalf or on behalf of their children--was harder following the loss." These money troubles were especially pronounced among families that had lost a spouse young or had failed to conduct any estate planning. For example, two out of three spouses agreed that it was much harder to save money following the loss. Sixty percent admitted that they had trouble managing household finances after the loss, with few able to find any available resources to spend even modest sums on themselves. For families with children, the consequences of these money troubles can be long-lasting. Over sixty percent of parents said that it was virtually impossible to save for their children's college education following the death. Nearly half had the same problem in paying for affordable health care.

Many surveyed said that the situation would have been better had some consultation been done before the loved ones' passing. Nearly two out of three survey respondents admitted that they did not have financial planning advice at the time of the death, and virtually all of them agreed that they would have been better off had they sought professional advice. Among the one third of survey respondent who did have the help of professionals with long-term financial planning, the vast majority of them found the aid help to be "very helpful." They explained that the helpfulness came in two forms: actual assistance with finances and basic emotional support while interacting with the family at the difficult time.

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Last week Advisor One discussed an estate planning issue that is underappreciated by some community members: the need for an educated trustee. Our New York estate planning attorneys commonly use trusts to help local residents avoid probate and save on estate taxes upon their death. When a trust is used a trustee has to be designated, which is an individual or entity that will carry out various responsibilities upon the death of the one who created the trust, the Grantor. The trustee is obligated to complete a range of legal and practical duties at that time. Without proper education and guidance they run the risk of failing in their obligations and causing a variety of problems for the family involved.

Upon the death of the Grantor, for example, the trustee must delve into the Grantor's personal and financial situation. That includes creating a list of all of the individual's assets, including personal property, real estate, stock, and other items. The fair market value of the property must be assessed so as to establish a new tax basis for possible future appreciation purposes. An assessment must be made to determine if estate taxes are at issue before equitable distribution of property to beneficiaries per the agreement's terms. Many other duties must also be fulfilled. Outstanding debts have to be paid, life insurance claims filed, retirement accounts handled, tax returns filed, and other accounting documents properly crafted. While the settling of a trust is easier than the probate process, it still demands prudent action by those involved.

The complexities of the position make it necessary that trustees be educated about their role, and it makes it important for the Grantor to give careful thought to trustee selection. The article notes of participants at a recent trustee education seminar that "grantors were trying to determine which made most sense for them: a personal trustee, a corporate one, or a personal trust company." The article went on to explain how it was often difficult for families to identify a personal trustee that possessed the technical skills and relationship with the Grantor needed to best fill the role.

These challenges are why our New York estate plan attorneys explain to residents that it may be prudent to chose a professional trustee, such as a trust company, bank, or lawyer. A clear benefit of a professional trustee is the expertise they bring to the position, guaranteeing that the actual settling of the trust will meet technical requirements. In this way, a Grantor can be sure that the trust will be properly managed and actually make the difficult time easier for the family. Some residents may feel comfortable with a mixture of both an individual trustee (like a relative) and a professional trustee (like a lawyer). In those cases, the two can both be named as co-trustees, often providing the balance of expertise and familial closeness that a Grantor prefers.

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Investment News published a story yesterday declaring that the current financial, political, and social climate made it a "perfect storm" for estate planning. It was explained how tax policy proposals, low interest rates, and a relatively weak economy make now a particularly worthwhile time for local families to take steps to plan for their long-term financial future. Our New York estate planning attorneys continue to help many local families do just that. As one observer explained in the article, "If individuals are trying to transition assets to the next generation, we currently have a perfect storm--in a good sense--to do it."

Any time is a good idea to visit a professional and make future financial preparations. However, it may be particularly valuable to do so now, because planning strategies currently available might soon be gone. For one thing, large estate tax and gift tax exemptions now make it possible for individuals to transfer up to $5 million (or $10 million for couples) tax free. However, it is unlikely that the current tax scheme will remain--it is only a matter of what changes will be made and when. Observers have noted that estate rules have been changed 19 times in the last quarter century alone.

The current climate may present particularly attractive options encouraging some families to make major decisions to save on taxes and pass on assets. But many advocates explain that the tried and true planning tools that have long been available often remain the best way for many community members to accomplish their long-term estate planning goals. For example, while it may be favorable to give large gifts in the current environment, many families are uncomfortable making extremely large gifts. Instead, their goals may be best met by making smaller gifts under the $13,000 annual exemption amount. Those families can then save on estate taxes down the road by setting up trusts that distribute money more conservatively along the way.

No matter what the economic or political climate, trusts remain a primary tool to flexibly transfer assets and save on taxes. A variety of different trust mechanisms remain available to residents to customize their estate planning and gifting strategies. Grandparents can set aside funds for grandchildren by using a generation-skipping trust. Charities can be provided for through use of a charitable remainder annuity trust. Of course the first step in tailoring a plan to meet your specific goals is visiting an area estate plan attorney to explain your wishes and learn how they can best be fulfilled.

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Federal "Super Committee" May Target Gift Tax in Deficit Reduction Scheme

Proposed Tax Policy Changes May Affect Future Options for Estate Planners

The gift tax has implications in a variety of New York estate planning situations, from deciding the best way to provide aid to loved ones to conducting business succession planning. As with many other tax issues, timing is important because lawmakers at the federal and state level can change these rates. While the risk of rate changes always exists, there has been significant discussion as of late about a variety of potential changes involving the 12-member federal "Super Committee." The Super Committee has been charged by Congress with reducing the federal deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next ten years. To do so, the group will have to enact a combination of spending reductions and tax changes. No matter what combination they ultimately decide upon, it is highly likely that their work will have effects on local residents crafting their New York estate plan.

For example, last week the Wall Street Journal's Market Watch published a story explaining proposed changes to gift tax exclusions. The specific committee meetings are mostly private, so some of the recent thoughts on the committee's actions are speculative. However, it is known that one of the President's proposed recommendations to the committee includes reducing the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax thresholds. The proposal would reduce the tax-free gift threshold to its 2009 level of $1 million. Currently the tax-free threshold is supposed to stay at $5 million until the end of 2012. However, many are speculating that the committee may decide to return the exclusion back to $1 million a year early as a cost-saving measure.

The story's author summarizes the changes by noting, "Overall tax planning and gift tax thresholds that are now available could be at risk for families...not much good can come from the committee's recommendations from a wealth preservation perspective." Clearly, the potential actions by this group may make it important for some local residents to take long-term financial actions now. Our New York estate planning attorneys urge all community members who may be affected by these changes to visit with a professional to either create a plan or update an existing one. Depending on the advice received, it may be prudent to accelerate planned lifetime gifts, review estate-tax funding mechanisms, or otherwise revise estate plans.

Under the current schedule the Super Committee is expected to present its recommendations to Congress on November 23rd. Congress will then have a month to take action on the proposal, and no amendments will be considered. If Congress does not pass the measure as proposed then automatic spending cuts will be triggered.

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Any time is a good one for local residents to conduct New York estate planning, because no one can say with certainty what tomorrow will bring. Having a plan in place provides the peace of mind of knowing that affairs will be handled no matter what the future holds. However, as reported this weekend in the New York Times, proposed federal tax changes should act as even more motivation to take advantage of planning options now which may not be available in the coming years.

National policymakers continue to disagree about budget deficit reduction strategies, with countless variations of tax increases and spending cuts proposed. No one can say with any confidence what may happen. However, experts continue to explain that it is always advisable to plan for what is known and not for what one speculates might happen. A variety of tax changes may go into effect next year or the following year, and so it may be advisable to take steps now to plan for their long-term financial affairs. A key part of that process for local residents involves visiting a New York estate planning lawyer to have a plan created or updated.

For example, observers note that it may be advantageous for those thinking of transferring ownership of a company or other property to adult children to do so in 2011 or 2012 while there is a $5 million exemption from gift taxes. At the current schedule by 2013 that exemption will drop to only $1 million and the tax rate itself is set to increase from 35% to 55%. As an experienced New York estate planning lawyer can explain, personal gifts may be an important part of reducing eventual estate taxes. Individuals can give up to $13,000 annually without tax to anyone, and couples can double that amount. One expert explained that a popular way that parents and grandparents can utilize the $13,000 annual exclusion is to set up a Roth I.R.A. for a student who has a side job. As long as the relative has some earned income, than an I.R.A. account may be opened for them.

In addition, costs paid directly to third parties for some services--such as tuition or medical care--may not count toward that tax-free limit, allowing even more money to be saved through gifting. This is often a good way for older relatives to provide aid to family members while saving on eventual estate taxes at the same time. In any event, many options remain for those considering the best way to prepare their long-term financial affairs. One need only visit the right professionals to get the ball rolling and take advantage of these favorable tax situations while they are still available.

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When it comes to New York estate planning, timing matters. While it is always better to conduct some long-term financial and well-being preparation than none, there is a large benefit to handling the planning while one is still capable. This means before a medical emergency strikes. Of course, it is also necessary to regularly update the plan so that it accounts for changes in life circumstances. On Wednesday, Forbes published an article that emphasizes the importance of planning before a serious medical or financial setback makes things more complicated. The article was part of a week-long series shared to promote National Estate Planning Awareness Week.

Our New York elder law estate planning attorneys help seniors every day who want to ensure that their long-term financial affairs are in order and to bring peace of mind by planning for end of life care. However, we are aware that a large segment of the population still has not taken the time to make necessary preparations. According to the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, more than 120 million Americans have not created or properly updated their estate plans. While it remains tough for many residents to discuss these topics, there is far too much to gain to put off having conversations about long-term needs.

If you have an elder relative who has not yet crafted an estate plan or made preparations for long-term healthcare, it is often helpful to gently mention the benefit of the planning effort to them. Many residents wait too long to take action and fail to have any plan in place when they fall into poor health and need special care services. Having plans in place ahead of time, before a major illness, often means that the senior can preserve a much larger portion of their savings and can receive the best available long-term care that maximizes their quality of life.

Those who have not taken steps to prepare for long-term care often face significant challenges that could have been avoided. For one thing, many are forced to use their life savings to pay for the services they need to get by each day. Many other simply do not have the resources necessary. As a result, many of them are forced to go without. A new study from the American Society of Clinical Oncology revealed some stark statistics. Nearly 50% of senior survey respondents indicated that they had to borrow money to pay for needed services like prescriptions. Roughly 30% admitted to not filling prescriptions, and another 20% took less medication than advised so that the pills would last longer. While these statistics paint a grim picture of some aspects of our healthcare system, they also reflect a lack of proper awareness about the resources available to community members who are facing these needs.

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Estate Planning May Be A Family Decision

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News spread quickly last week of the death of Steve Jobs, the popular technology guru who pioneered so many technological marvels with Apple and the animation company Pixar. While Mr. Jobs was a billionaire, those familiar with his estate planning affairs explain that even middle class families have much to gain by following his lead in planning for their long-term financial affairs. For one thing, no one knows exactly what Jobs decided to do with his affairs, because by using trusts he was able to keep his business out of the public eye. As reported in The Trust Advisor, one man familiar with the situation explains, "Privacy was such a big part of his life and his career. And if everything passed through one or more trusts, there would have been no probate fee...and no will to be read (publically)." You do not have to be a billionaire to achieve this privacy by utilizing alternatives to a will. Our New York estate planning lawyers have helped many local families in our area do just that over the years.

On top of the ability to make decisions privately, Mr. Jobs plan also highlights the way that preparation can help avoid taxes. Most believe that his roughly $6 billion estate will likely pay no estate taxes. Estate taxes continue to make news nationwide as lawmakers debate over changes in the rate and the levels at which the tax kicks in. However, steps can be taken to essentially eliminate the assets that are counted toward those taxes, making it possible to avoid these taxes altogether. The New York estate planning attorneys at our firm can explain what specific steps should be done in your individual case to ensure as much wealth as possible passes on to those who you'd like to receive it.

Mr. Jobs estate planning is also a good example of how each plan is entirely individualized to account for the unique goals, desires, and perspectives of the one from whom it is crafted. No one yet knows how his fortune will be divided down the road. All that is known is that before his death Mr. Jobs' attorneys moved 5.5 million shares of Apple, 138 million shares of Disney, and various real estate holdings into trusts. It is unknown who the trustee is now that Mr. Jobs has passed. Those familiar with the situation explain that Mr. Jobs had indicated distaste for dynastic plans that would have kept the fortune entirely locked up down the ages. Instead, most suspect that a philanthropic enterprise may be created with much of the assets, perhaps to assist other technology start-ups. No matter what, it is assured that Mr. Jobs plan was a reflection of his own values, something that he shares with every other community members who takes the time to craft their estate plan and consider their long-term legacy.

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