Estate Planning for the Care of Minor Children

Here at Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning and Elder Law LLC, we understand the paramount concern of parents - the welfare of their children should anything happen to them. Considering who would become the caregivers of your children is an emotional question, and determining how your children would be financially supported is equally crucial. Most couples typically bequeath their estate to each other, confident that the surviving spouse will manage the needs of their children. Alternately, they would assign the children as contingent beneficiaries. For single parents, leaving assets directly to offspring is more common.

It's vital to designate a person to manage your children's potential inheritance if they are too young to handle it. A well-drafted will or trust can accomplish this seamlessly, providing peace of mind about their financial future.

Without a clear plan, if minors inherit property, the courts take over by assigning a "property guardian" to oversee their financial interests. While typically the other parent is selected, it's not guaranteed, and this court-appointed guardianship comes with considerable oversight and limited freedom to make decisions on property management. Small inheritances can sometimes bypass this system if an executor names a custodian under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act.

As the children reach maturity (18 or older), they attain full control of their inheritance, barring any specific stipulations you've included in your will or trust that set different age requirements or conditions.

There are practical ways to spare your family the turbulence of court-appointed guardianships and to ensure that younger inheritors wisely manage their estate. At Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning and Elder Law LLC, we can help you choose a reliable individual to manage any property that your minor or young adult beneficiaries might inherit from you. Let's discuss four fundamental and effective strategies:

One straightforward approach is to nominate a property guardian in your will. This individual will manage any inheritance your child may receive, in the absence of a trust or other instruments, when you're no longer there.

Nearly all states recognize the UTMA - a way to assign a custodian to oversee the inheritance intended for a child. This could be stipulated in your will or a living trust. The UTMA custodianship ceases once the child reaches adulthood, which varies by state, although some states let you extend custodianship until the age of 25.

Life insurance proceeds earmarked for your minors can be managed through UTMA custodianships or trusts. It's crucial to consider if life insurance is necessary and to choose the right policy for your situation.

Creating individual trusts provides you control over when and how your child receives their inheritance. Assigning a trustee ensures that your child's needs for health, education, and living expenses are met from the trust and that any remaining wealth is transferred to them at the age you choose.

Families with several young children might consider a single trust accommodating all of them until the youngest child reaches maturity - typically the age of 18. While this allows considerable discretion for the trustee, it can mean that older children will not receive their inheritance until the youngest child comes of age.

For instance, consider the situation of Nick and Nora, parents of three children aged 4, 5, and 10. Their testamentary arrangements involve a pot trust that consolidates their estate for their children, overseen by a trustee - in this case, Nora’s sister, Chloë. This setup entrusts Chloë with managing the trust assets and providing for the children according to their needs.

At Wilson & Wilson Estate Planning and Elder Law LLC, your family's future is our priority. Please reach out to us for a consultation on planning for your children's inheritance at (708) 482-7090. Let us assist in ensuring your peace of mind and the well-being of your loved ones.