Alternate beneficiaries are individuals or entities named by a person in their estate plan who can benefit if the primary beneficiary designated does not survive to receive their gift or inheritance.
For example, a person may include an alternate beneficiary in their will in the event that their primary beneficiary dies before them. This could be accomplished through a named trust, in which the assets are parked until the primary beneficiary is determined to be deceased, at which point the alternate beneficiary would receive the gift.
What Does an Alternate Beneficiary Need to Be Aware of?
It is important for the alternate beneficiary to be aware of any stipulations that may apply to the inheritance. For example, some wills may contain conditions or stipulations that must be met before certain gifts can be bequeathed. It is also important for the alternate beneficiary to be aware of any tax implications of the gift or inheritance.
If a trust is involved, the alternate beneficiary should understand and accept the terms of the trust as specified by the grantor. This may include understanding any investment restrictions or other stipulations specified in the trust documents.
What Should Alternate Beneficiaries Do?
Alternate beneficiaries should make sure that they understand their rights and responsibilities with respect to any inheritance they are receiving. In particular, they should carefully review any conditions set forth in the will or trust documents and make sure that they understand any tax implications of accepting the inheritance.
It is also important for the alternate beneficiary to have an estate plan of their own. This will ensure that the assets they receive are allocated as they see fit and that any inheritances they may receive in the future are properly handled.