678-941-3493

Norton Financial Inc. Home
  • Home
  • About Us 
    • Our Company
    • Our Team
    • Our Services
    • Our Commitment
    • Retirement Planning
    • Wealth Planning Process
    • Our Independence
    • About LPL Financial
    • LPL Reseach Commentary
    • Strategic Partner: Ivy Funds
  • Client Center 
    • Account Access
  • Resource Center 
    • Retirement
    • Estate
    • Investment
    • Insurance
    • Tax
    • Money
    • Lifestyle
  • Tools 
    • Glossary
    • Tax Resources
  • Contact
Estate Read Time: 3 min

When Heirs are Imperfect

Passing your estate to an heir with credit problems or a gambling or alcohol addiction might not only lead to that wealth being squandered, but the inheritance could worsen the destructive behaviors.

Of course, you don’t want to disinherit your child simply because of their personal challenges. There are potential solutions that allow parents to control and incent behaviors long after they are gone, ensuring that a troubled child’s inheritance won’t be misused.1

Some Common Approaches

A trust is one idea, since it can pass wealth to an heir while maintaining control over the how, when, where, and why the funds can be accessed.2

When establishing such a trust, you can appoint a trustee, who is typically an independent, third party (e.g., trust company) or family member. Appointing a family member, however, may be fraught with problems. Hypothetically speaking, who do you think may be better able to resist the pleadings of a desperate beneficiary? A close relative or a corporate entity?

Furthermore, the trust can specify the precise circumstances under which money will be paid to its beneficiary, or it can specify that the trustee will retain complete discretion in the disbursement of funds.

Structuring Ideas

Trusts can also include incentives, such as requiring drug or alcohol testing before the funds are paid out, or perhaps, that a lump-sum payment be made only upon graduation from college.

To ensure that an heir is committed to change, lump-sum amounts can be paid out after prescribed periods of time, e.g., five years of sobriety. To encourage your heir to seek gainful employment, the trust might pay out a dollar for every dollar in wages. Alternatively, the trust can be written whereby payments are made directly to service providers, like a landlord or utility company.

Trusts can be flexible in their design, but before moving forward with a trust, consider working with a professional who is familiar with the rules and regulations.

1. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.
2. Using a trust involves a complex set of tax rules and regulations. Before moving forward with a trust, consider working with a professional who is familiar with the rules and regulations.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

Have A Question About This Topic?

Thank you! Oops!
 

Related Content

Social Security: Five Facts You Need to Know

Social Security: Five Facts You Need to Know

Here are five facts about Social Security that are important to keep in mind.

Types of Stock Market Analysis

Types of Stock Market Analysis

Most stock market analysis falls into three broad groups: Fundamental, technical, and sentimental. Here’s a look at each.

A Living Trust Primer

A Living Trust Primer

Living trusts are popular, but their appropriateness will depend upon your individual needs and objectives.

Contact

Stability | Loyalty | Independence

Office: 678-941-3493

108 Corporate Dr.

Carrollton, GA 30117-2464

jason@nortonfinancialinc.com

Quick Links

  • Retirement
  • Investment
  • Estate
  • Insurance
  • Tax
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • All Articles
  • All Videos
  • All Calculators
  • All Presentations

Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. Some of this material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named representative, broker - dealer, state - or SEC - registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

We take protecting your data and privacy very seriously. As of January 1, 2020 the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) suggests the following link as an extra measure to safeguard your data: Do not sell my personal information.

Copyright 2023 FMG Suite.

Securities are offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Norton Financial Inc. is another business name of Independent Advisor Alliance. All investment advice is offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and Norton Financial Inc. are separate entities from LPL Financial.

The LPL Financial registered representative(s) associated with this website may discuss and/or transact business only with residents of the states in which they are properly registered or licensed. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident of any other state.

CRPC conferred by College for Financial Planning.