What is probate?
Probate is a legal process through which the court sees that when you die your debts are paid and your assets are distributed according to your will.  If you don't have a valid will your assets are distributed according to state law.

 What's so bad about probate?
It can be expensive.
Legal/executor fees and other costs must be paid before your assets can be fully distributed to your heirs.  If you own property in other states your family could face multiple probates, each one according to the laws in that state because these costs can vary widely.  Be sure to get an estimate.

It takes time.
Usually nine months to two years.  During part of this time, assets are usually frozen solid so that accurate inventory can be taken.  Nothing can be distributed or sold without court and/or executor approval.  If your family needs money to live on, they must request a living allowance, which may be denied.

Your family has no privacy. 
Probate is a public process, so any "interested party" can see what you owned and owed.  The process invites disgruntled heirs to contest the will and can expose her family to unscrupulous solicitors.

Your family has no control.
The probate process determines how much it will cost, how long it will take, and what information is made public.

 Doesn't joint ownership avoid probate?
Not really -- it usually just postpones it.  With most jointly owned assets, when one owner dies, full ownership does transfer to the surviving owner without probate.  But if that owner dies without adding a new joint owner, or if both owners died at the same time, the asset must be probated before it can go to their heirs.

Watch out for other problems.  When you add a co-owner, you lose control.  Your chances of being named in a lawsuit and of losing the asset to a creditor are increased.  There could be gift and/or income tax problems.  And since a will does not control most jointly own assets, you could disinherit your family.

With some assets, especially real estate, all owners must sign to sell or refinance.  So if a co-owner becomes incapacitated, you could find yourself with the new co-owner -- the court -- even if the ill owner is your spouse.

 Why would the court get involved at incapacity?
If you can't conduct business due to mental or physical incapacity (Alzheimer's, stroke, heart attack, etc.), only a court appointee can sign for you -- even if you have a will.  (Remember, a will only goes into effect after you die.)

Once the court gets involved, it usually stays involved until you recover or die.  The court, not your family, controls how your assets are used to take care of you.  This public process can be expensive, embarrassing, time-consuming and difficult to end if you recover.  And it does not replace probate at death -- your family could have to go through the court system twice!

 Does a durable power of Attorney prevent this?
A durable power of attorney lets you name someone to manage your financial affairs if you're unable to do so.  However, many financial institutions won't honor one unless it's on their form.  And, if accepted, it may work too well -- giving someone a blank check to do whatever he/she wants with your assets.  It can be very effective when used with a living trust, but risky when used alone.

 What is a living trust?
A living trust is a legal document that, just like a will, contains your instructions for what you want to happen to your assets when you die.  But, unlike a will, a living trust avoids probate at death, can control all of your assets, and prevents the court for controlling your assets at incapacity. 

How does a living trust avoid probate and prevent court control of assets at incapacity?
When you set up a living trust, you transfer assets from your name to the name of your trust, which you control -- such as from "Bob and Sue Smith, husband-and-wife" to "Bob and Sue Smith, trustees under trust dated (month/day/year)."

 Legally you no longer own anything (don't panic; everything now belongs to your trust), so there's nothing for the courts to control when you die or become incapacitated.  The concept is very simple, but this is what keeps you and your family out of the courts.

 Do I lose control of the assets in my trust?
Absolutely not.  You keep full control.  As trustee of your trust, you can do anything you could do before - buy/sell assets, change or even cancel your trust (that's why it's called a revocable living trust).  You even file the same tax returns.  Nothing changes but the names on the titles.

 Is it hard to transfer assets into my trust?
No, and your Attorney and financial representative from Premier Capital Management, Inc. can help.  You need to change titles on real estate (in and out of state) and other titled assets (stocks, CDs, bank accounts, other investments, insurance, etc.).  Most living trusts also include jewelry, close, art, furniture, and other assets that do not have titles.

Also, beneficiary designations on some assets (like insurance) should be changed to your trust so the court can't control them if the beneficiary is incapacitated or no longer living when you die.  (Retirement accounts can be exceptions.)

Doesn't this take a lot of time?
It will take some time -- but you can do it now, or you can pay the courts and attorneys to do it for you later.  One of the benefits of a living trust is that all your assets are brought together under one plan.  Don't delay "funding" your trust.  It can only protect assets that have been transferred into it.

If something happens to me, who has control?
If you and your spouse are co-trustees, either can act and have instant control if one becomes incapacitated or dies.  If something happens to both of you, or if you are the only trustee, you handpicked successor trustee will step in.  If a corporate trustee already your trustee or co-trustee, they will continue to manage your trust for you.

 What does a successor trustee do?
If you become incapacitated, your successor trustee looks after your care and manages your financial affairs for as long as he is needed, using your assets to pay expenses.  If you recover, you automatically resume control.  When you die, your successor trustee pays your debts and distributes your assets.  All this is done quickly and privately, according to instructions in your trust without court interference.

Who can be a successor trustee?
Successor trustees can be individuals (adult children, other relatives, or trusted friends) and/or a corporate trustee.  If you choose an individual, you should name more than one in case your first choice is unable to act.

 Does my trust end when I die?
Unlike a will, a trust doesn't have to die with you.  Assets can stay in your trust, managed by the person or corporate trustee you have chosen, until your beneficiaries (including minor children) reach the age(s) you want them to inherit.  You may also want your trust to continue so it can provide for loved ones with special needs.

 How can a living trust save estate taxes? 
If you die in 2004 and the net value of your estate (assets less debts) is more than $1.5 million, federal estate taxes (starting at 41%) must be paid.  If you're married, your living trust can include a provision that will let you and your spouse leave up to $3 million estate tax free to your loved ones.

 Doesn't a trust in a will do the same thing?
Not quite.  A will can contain wording to create a testamentary trust to save estate taxes, care for minors, etc.  But, because it's part of your will, this trust cannot go into effect until after you die and the will is probated.  So it does not avoid probate and provides no protection at incapacity.

 Is a living trust expensive?
Not when compared to all the costs of court interference at incapacity and death.  How much you pay will depend on how complicated your plan is.  Be sure to get an estimate.

 How long does it take to get a living trust?
It should only take a few weeks to prepare the legal documents after you make the basic decisions.

 Should I have an attorney do my trust?
Generally, yes, but you need the right Attorney.  A local attorney who has considerable experience in living trusts will be able to give you valuable guidance and peace of mind that your trust is prepare properly.  In some states, a qualified paralegal can also prepare trust documents; however, they cannot give you legal advice.

 If I have a living trust, do I still need a will?
Yes, you need a "pour-over" will that acts as a safety net if you forget to transfer assets into your trust.  When you die, the will "catches" the forgotten asset and sends it into your trust.  The asset may have to go through probate first, but it can then be distributed as part of your living trust plan.

 Is a "living will" the same as a living trust?
No.  A living trust is for financial affairs.  A living will is for medical affairs -- and lets others know how you feel about life support in terminal situations.

 Are living trusts new?
No, they've been used successfully for hundreds of years.

Who should have a living trust?
Age, marital status and wealth don't really matter.  If you own titled assets and want your loved ones (spouse, children or parents) to avoid court interference at your death or incapacity, consider a living trust.  You may also want to encourage other family members to have one so you won't have to deal with the courts at their incapacities or deaths.