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What to Know Before Getting a Trust

VWB Blog 2 years ago 21

The future is full of uncertainties. That’s why we have to try and be as prepared as possible for the unexpected.

The state of your health and mental faculties can become more tenuous as you get older. Once you reach the point where it’s difficult to care for yourself, it can leave your loved ones in a tough spot.

To help circumvent these challenges, a trust can help ease your mind about the status of your possessions. Before you get one, there are a few things you should know. Here is what you should keep in mind.

Make a List of All Your Assets

The first thing to do is make a list of everything you own. Assets include tangible items like your house, car, and jewelry. They also include intangible items like stocks, bonds, and life insurance policies.

A list of your assets will help you get a clear picture of your estate. It will also help you determine how your assets should be distributed once you are gone.

Who Needs a Trust?

Trusts are often associated with affluent people. The reality is that a legal trust is for everyone, no matter their level of wealth. They can be an essential part of estate planning and can help ensure that your assets go to the correct people.

Find a Trust Company That Makes You Feel Comfortable

The most important thing when looking for a trust company is feeling comfortable with your advisor and their associates.

You should feel that your advisor appreciates your goals and property. You should have a good working relationship to make sure your wishes are carried out on your behalf.

This is the company that will distribute the assets you leave to your beneficiaries. You can dictate this responsibility when you review your trust options.

A letter of intent for your advisor can give your advisor your inclinations to how you want your possessions distributed.

You have the option to create trust funds for one generation or several. You can also fund charities in a loved one’s memory or do a combination of both.

Find the Paperwork for Your Assets

You need to list your assets and their values before getting a trust. You also need to ensure that you have all the associated paperwork for your assets. This includes titles, deeds, stock certificates, and life insurance policies.

Your advisor needs all of this paperwork to prepare your trust. The paperwork allows your advisor to transfer your assets to the trust to fund it.

The paperwork is also necessary if an advisor or beneficiary needs to sell an asset held by the trust. If a home is too far from the beneficiary or increases in value, it may be prudent to sell it to someone or a company like 1800SellNow.

Leave the Future in Good Hands

Once you’re gone, you need someone you can trust that will act on your behalf. A trust ensures that your possessions will get into the right hands. Choose your advisor carefully and be sure that they respect your wishes.

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