A life insurance trust is an entity created for the purpose of protecting life insurance proceeds from certain taxes, as well as providing a secure financial future for the insurance policy’s beneficiaries. In order to create this trust, the policyholder transfers the ownership of a life insurance policy to the trust. The trust then becomes the policyholder and legal owner.
Benefits of Having a Life Insurance Trust
Life insurance trusts provide many benefits for the policyholder and their designated beneficiaries. First, utilizing a life insurance trust helps to avoid having the insurance proceeds subject to estate taxes when ownership of the policy is transferred to the beneficiaries. In addition, this form of trust provides more privacy because it does not become a part of the individual’s probate estate, which would have been made public.
Another way life insurance trusts can be advantageous is when the policyholder is concerned about the affordability and future needs of the beneficiaries. The policyholder can appoint a trustee to ensure the trust is managed as it was intended and the funds have been prudently invested, along with providing the necessary income and resources to maintain the beneficiaries’ lifestyle.
Establish a Life Insurance Trust
The best way to protect life insurance proceeds and ensure they are used for the intended purposes is to create a trust. It is important to speak with a qualified estate planning attorney for advice and assistance in creating and managing a life insurance trust. An attorney can provide further guidance and information on the best way to ensure the trust and the beneficiaries are both protected.