In the world of estate planning, the use of trusts has become increasingly popular with individuals and families looking for ways to protect and transfer their wealth efficiently. One such trust that has gained attention in recent years is a Directed Trust. In this blog post, we will explore benefits, drawbacks, and ultimately the best solution when considering Directed Trusts as part of your client’s estate planning strategy.
The Benefits:
Directed Trusts offer several advantages that make them an appealing option for individuals seeking a flexible and tailored approach to estate planning:
Flexibility: One of the primary benefits of is flexibility. With this type of trust, trust management can be separated from asset management. This allows trust experts to handle the trusts, and investment experts to handle the assets. This will give your client a more specialized experience, keeping things streamlined.
Asset Protection: Trusts can provide a level of asset protection. By designating an advisor who is responsible for making investment decisions, the grantor can safeguard their assets from potential creditors or legal disputes.
Estate Tax Mitigation: Properly structured life insurance trusts can help mitigate estate taxes, ensuring that more of your client’s wealth is passed on to their heirs rather than being eroded by taxes.
Read More: Now Is The Right Time For TOLI Trustees to Talk to Their Clients
The Drawbacks:
While Directed Trusts offer numerous benefits, they also come with some potential drawbacks:
Complexity: Life Insurance Trusts can be complex to set up and manage. It’s crucial to work with experienced professionals who understand the nuances of these trusts to avoid pitfalls and legal complications.
Risk of Conflict: Designating a trusted advisor or family member as the investment manager can lead to conflicts of interest or disagreements regarding investment decisions. It’s essential to have clear guidelines and communication to prevent such issues.
Complicated Management: The policy owner (trustee) controls access to the carrier and policy information which can complicate fiduciary duties of an advisor without direct access to carrier information. Some advisors also fail to realize the magnitude of their fiduciary duty, a changing world for advisors relying on sales for revenue, but one trustees are used to. With aging advisors, reassignment is key. However, this can fall to the wayside and create even larger problems for grantors.
The Best Solution:
The best solution when considering Directed Trusts is a well-thought-out strategy that combines the advantages while mitigating the disadvantages. Here’s how to achieve that:
Professional Guidance: Seek the expertise of estate planning professionals who specialize in Life Insurance Trusts. They can help you navigate the complexities and ensure your trust is structured correctly.
Clear Communication: Establish open and transparent communication with your designated trustee or investment manager. Clearly define your goals, risk tolerance, and expectations to minimize the risk of conflicts and misunderstandings.
Regular Review: Periodically review and adjust your client’s investment strategy as needed to adapt to changing circumstances, market conditions, and your client’s financial goals.
Read More: Is an ILIT Right for Your Client’s Estate Plan?
Directed Trusts can be a valuable tool in estate planning, offering flexibility and asset protection. However, they require careful planning, professional guidance, and effective communication to reap the benefits – this is where Life Insurance Trust Company comes in.
Life Insurance Trust Company can help your clients get the most benefit out of their Directed Trusts as co-trustees. Our team of life insurance trust experts are trained to work effortlessly with outside advisors and can create a partnership with the named investment advisor. LITCO can manage the trust administration while ensuring that the investment direction provides the beneficiaries with the maximum value of the trust asset. To learn more about how we serve as co-trustee in situations like this, contact us today.
