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Beyond Wills: Other Essential Elements of An Estate Plan

Although writing a will is an important first step, there are other elements and factors to consider when formulating an estate plan, including advanced directives and the roles and responsibilities of individuals charged with managing the disposition of an estate.  Creating an estate plan requires taking inventory of all your assets and debts including a review of all beneficiary designations how your assets are titled. 

Estate planning can be a complex and emotional process. Ensuring that your family is secure and that the disposition of your will is carried out according to your wishes are key planning considerations for any individual. In addition, you should consider what would happen if you were to become incapacitated and unable to oversee your own financial and/or medical affairs. In both of these cases, you can name trusted individuals (or entities) to step in and represent your best interests and carry out your express wishes.

Executors
Executors play a critical role in executing your estate plan. The first and most important role of an executor is ushering a will through probate. Until this occurs, the estate cannot be settled and the assets are frozen. The Court first admits the will to probate and appoints the executor, who is responsible for gathering, inventorying and protecting estate assets, paying bills and taxes. The executor then distributes the estate assets to your named beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of your will.

Executors pay all outstanding bills due at death, as well as expenses incurred after death.  The executor is also responsible for the preparation, filing and payment of tax due on the decedent’s final income tax returns and the Federal and State estate tax returns (including fiduciary income tax)   The executor may need to raise cash by selling assets. The executor must maintain records of every transaction that takes place in the accounts of the estate. Finally, the executor must see to it that estate property is distributed according to the specific terms of the will. If, instead of outright distributions, the will calls for one or more trusts to be set up, the executor distributes the appropriate portion of the estate to the trustee.

Trustees
If you have created trusts as part of your estate plan, you will need a one or more trustees to manage the trust assets. One of the trustee’s first responsibilities is collecting estate assets earmarked for the trust. Another is ensuring the safekeeping of trust assets. For instance, if real estate is a designated trust asset, the trustee is responsible for maintenance and upkeep, paying real property taxes, insurance protection and, if applicable, the collection of rent. For financial assets such as cash and securities, the trustee must maintain one or more separate accounts on behalf of the trust and is usually responsible for managing those assets.

A trustee should have a written investment plan that takes into account the needs and (sometimes conflicting) interests of beneficiaries — both current and future. Traditionally, trust investments were expected to generate income for beneficiaries who were entitled to distributions of net income, while the trust retained and reinvested principal. In some cases, the trustee may have the authority to make distributions of principal to beneficiaries. Today, most states have adopted rules1 which essentially permit the trustee to utilize modern portfolio concepts and manage the trust assets for total return. The trustee may then elect to make current distributions to the beneficiaries which permits them to participate in the overall total return while the balance of the principal continues to grow.2

The trustee is responsible for the payment of taxes owed on any undistributed trust income and/or capital gains realized by the trust. These are reported on the trust’s fiduciary income tax returns. The trustee also informs trust beneficiaries of the amounts they must report on their personal tax returns.

In short, the trustee serves as chief administrator — documenting every transaction that takes place in the trust accounts. Prior to final settlement, the trustee must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the remaining beneficiaries that all assets and income have been properly administered and distributed.

While you may choose a family member or friend to serve as your trustee, given the significance of the trustee’s fiduciary responsibilities, an independent professional is often the wiser choice. A corporate trustee can navigate complexities of trust management and estate settlement, bringing technical knowledge, tax planning expertise and continuity of service across generations.

Advance Directives — Naming Alternate Decision Makers
While the roles of executor and trustee come into play after your death, who would act on your behalf to manage your finances and/or make arrangements for your medical care if you were unable to manage your affairs on your own? In these cases, legal arrangements, called advance directives, allow individuals to name alternative decision makers to speak and act on their behalf.

Among the advance directives you may want to consider are:

•  Durable Power of Attorney — A power of attorney agreement gives another person legal authority to act on your behalf. The typical power of attorney takes effect when it is implemented; however, many states permit a “conditional” power of attorney that goes into effect only when a specified event occurs, such as incapacitation. The power-of-attorney agreement ends at your death, which means this individual or entity can no longer handle your affairs when you die unless you also name them as your executor.

• Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care — A power of attorney for health care is a legal document that gives another person permission to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make those decisions yourself. The person you name to represent you may be called an agent, attorney-in-fact, health care proxy, patient advocate or something similar, depending on where you live.

• Living Will/Health Care Directive — This document authorizes your wishes concerning life support in the event of a terminal medical condition. Health care directives vary from state to state; check to find out the type of directive your state allows.

Developing a personalized estate plan requires a structured approach that is consistent with your overall financial goals. Working with your attorney and other key advisors, I can work with you and your legal and tax advisors to help you create an estate plan that meets your needs.

Courtesy of:  Irene F. Stolarz
Branch Name: Morgan Stanley, Little Falls, NJ
Phone Number: 973-890-3020
Web Address: : www.morganstanleyfa.com/stolarz

1The Uniform Prudent Investor Act
2The Power to Adjust election is under the Uniform Principal and Income Act, companion legislation to the Uniform Prudent Investor Act.
If you’d like to learn more, please contact Irene F. Stolarz.  Article by McGraw Hill and provided courtesy of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor. The author(s) are not employees of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). The opinions expressed by the authors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley.  The information and data in the article or publication has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Neither the information provided nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation by Morgan Stanley with respect to the purchase or sale of any security, investment, strategy or product that may be mentioned. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice are not “fiduciaries” (under ERISA, state law, the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise). This material was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, which may include taxation, and other legal matters pursuant to applicable law and regulation. Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor(s) engaged The Post Eagle to feature this article.Ms. Stolarz may only transact business in states where she is registered or excluded or exempted from registration (see www.morganstanleyfa.com/stolarz) Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Ms. Stolarz is not registered or excluded or exempt from registration.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.  Member SIPC.
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