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Estates and Trusts

WHY IT PAYS TO LEAVE YOUR ESTATE IN TRUST - A MATTER OF CARING

A trust can mean experienced management, greater security, and fulfillment of your wishes.
Will your beneficiaries be able to enjoy the property you leave them? Or will unnecessary cost and a lack of qualified investment management combine to thwart your plans for their future welfare?

The answer to these questions may depend on how thoroughly you plan today.

Millions of Americans have wills drawn and believe that their plans are secure. They do not realize that a will alone may not be enough protection for the ones they love.

Many people leave their estates in trust for their heirs. They recognize that estates are likely to last longer and be worth more if they are left in trust, instead of given outright.

Why does a trust offer distinct advantages over the outright distribution of your assets? Here are several reasons:

  • Trusts provide for experienced management for the property you leave and can prevent waste of family's valuable property-- Trusts allow you to take personal control, and set the terms of the trust, and name the trustees.

  • Trusts assure that beneficiaries will always be cared for and that the trustee will look after the finances-- By leaving your property in trust, you can protect your beneficiaries from financial hardship caused by their own illness or incapacity.

  • Trusts assure that your property is distributed according to your wishes-- Although wills are easily contested, it is very difficult to change the terms of a trust.

  • Trusts can minimize taxes in passing on your estate-- Both single and married people can reduce taxes on their property by including trusts in their plans.

  • Trusts for charitable purposes-- Charitable trusts are very popular today. They provide the donor with the potential for income, estate or gift tax savings. They also provide income to beneficiaries and ultimately gifts to charitable or nonprofit favorite charitys to continue their good works. Two types of Charitable Remainder Trusts are the Annuity Trust and the Unitrust.

    1. The Annuity Trust will pay a fixed amount of income to you for your lifetime or to your beneficiaries for their lifetimes, and the amount will never change.

    2. The Unitrust will pay a fixed percentage of income for your lifetime or the lifetimes of your beneficiaries. Unlike the Annuity Trust, the Unitrust income will rise or fall, depending on the return from the investment of the trust assets.

Find out today how a trust can carry out your special objectives
A trust can provide some major advantages. For your loved ones, trusts can mean greater enjoyment of a larger estate. For you, trusts can bring the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have planned well for your beneficiaries.

There are many practical ways to combine the making of a trust with a charitable gift to The Actors Fund. We invite you to explore the practical possibilities with us. You will be under no obligation.

May we plan together?
Although there are significant advantages to trusts, the rules are often complex. For more information or to arrange a meeting, please call Wallace Munro, Director of Planned Giving, at 212.221.7300 ext. 128. Or email him at wmunro@actorsfund.org. We can help you find out how a trust can meet your specific needs.

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