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Illinois Estate, Tax, Trust, & Retirement Planning

 

Alton IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Emert L Wyss Jr , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Arlington Heights IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Karl H Magnus, Cook County      Click to request assistance
Arlington Heights IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Michael S Grant Ltd , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Aurora IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Craig D Hasenbalg, Kane County      Click to request assistance
Aurora IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Fred H Dickson, Kane County      Click to request assistance
Aurora IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- G Andrew White, Kane County      Click to request assistance
Aurora IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Jean C Francissen, Kane County      Click to request assistance
Barrington IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Law Offices Of Susan Poplar , Lake County      Click to request assistance
Barrington IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Robert C Peithman, Lake County      Click to request assistance
Belleville IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Dan Juncker, St. Clair County      Click to request assistance
Belleville IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- David E Guymon, St. Clair County      Click to request assistance
Belleville IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Edward J Blake Jr , St. Clair County      Click to request assistance
Belleville IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Freeark Harvey Mendillo Dennis Wuller Cain & Murphy Pc , St. Clair County      Click to request assistance
Belleville IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Harter & Larson , St. Clair County      Click to request assistance
Belleville IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Richard W Thompson, St. Clair County      Click to request assistance
Berwyn IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Richard A Kocurek, Cook County      Click to request assistance
Bethalto IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Kenneth E Balsters, Madison County      Click to request assistance
Bethalto IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Timothy C Hinrichs, Madison County      Click to request assistance
Bloomingdale IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Law Offices Of Warren Prescott , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Bloomington IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Brian L Galloway Atty , Mclean County      Click to request assistance
Bloomington IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Carlon Law Firm Pc , Mclean County      Click to request assistance
Bloomington IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Charles N Erickson, Mclean County      Click to request assistance
Bloomington IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Costigan & Wollrab Pc , Mclean County      Click to request assistance
Bloomington IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Donald Willard, Mclean County      Click to request assistance
Bloomington IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- George R Flynn Jd , Mclean County      Click to request assistance
Bloomington IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Guy C Fraker Atty , Mclean County      Click to request assistance
Bloomington IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Hartweg Turner & Wood Pc , Mclean County      Click to request assistance
Bloomington IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Lyndel K Armstrongltd , Mclean County      Click to request assistance
Buffalo Grove IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Alan T Schencker, Lake County      Click to request assistance
Cary IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Daniel O Hands Pc , Mchenry County      Click to request assistance
Champaign IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Dodd Robert & Associates Llc , Champaign County      Click to request assistance
Chicago IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Jay S Goldenberg, Cook County      Click to request assistance
Chicago IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- John W Sereda Jr , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Chicago IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Loutfi Tarick Attorney At Law , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Chicago IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Michael H Erde & Assoc Pc , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Chicago IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Shaheen Novoselsky Staat Filipowski & Eccleston Pc , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Chicago IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Snow & Snow Ltd , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Collinsville IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Blake & Allen Pc , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Crete IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Richard Allen Hobbs, Will County      Click to request assistance
Crystal Lake IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- The Waggoner Law Firm , Mchenry County      Click to request assistance
Darien IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Michael Overmann Ltd , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Darien IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Michael Overmann Ltd , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Decatur IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- James E Tueth, Macon County      Click to request assistance
Decatur IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Keith W Casteel, Macon County      Click to request assistance
Decatur IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Parish & Castleman Llp , Macon County      Click to request assistance
Downers Grove IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- David L Depew Law Offices , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Downers Grove IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- David S Cochran, Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Downers Grove IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Justin J Tedrowe, Dupage County      Click to request assistance
East Alton IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Leonard F Berg, Madison County      Click to request assistance
Edwardsville IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Coffey Law Firm Pc , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Edwardsville IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Edmonds Law Office , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Edwardsville IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Ellen Edmonds , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Edwardsville IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Goldenberg Heller Antognoli Rowland, Madison County      Click to request assistance
Edwardsville IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Law Office Of Lauren E Koebel, Madison County      Click to request assistance
Edwardsville IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Paul H Lauber, Madison County      Click to request assistance
Edwardsville IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Sivia Business & Legal Services Pc , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Edwardsville IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- The Coulson Law Group , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Edwardsville IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- The Law Office Of Lauren K Koebel, Madison County      Click to request assistance
Elgin IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Kevin R Barry, Kane County      Click to request assistance
Elmhurst IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Joerg Seifert Ltd , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Fairfield IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Laws Neal Jr , Wayne County      Click to request assistance
Fairview Heights IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Neubauer Aubuchon & Dodd , St. Clair County      Click to request assistance
Frankfort IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- William J Peters, Will County      Click to request assistance
Freeport IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Anthony V Coon, Stephenson County      Click to request assistance
Geneva IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Lucas Law Offices , Kane County      Click to request assistance
Geneva IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Paul & Associates Llc , Kane County      Click to request assistance
Glen Carbon IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Edward T Mccarthy & Associates , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Glen Carbon IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Mccarthy & Associates , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Glen Ellyn IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Richard A Kocurek, Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Godfrey IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Neal J Wallace, Madison County      Click to request assistance
Granite City IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Irvin Slate Law Office , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Grayslake IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Clark & Runkle Pc , Lake County      Click to request assistance
Grayslake IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Ronald Runkle, Lake County      Click to request assistance
Greenville IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Kevin Sybert , Bond County      Click to request assistance
Harvard IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Stephen M Haugh, Mchenry County      Click to request assistance
Highland IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Johannes & Marron Pc , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Highland IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Thomas A Hill, Madison County      Click to request assistance
Hoffman Estates IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Combs Ltd , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Homer Glen IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Karen Walin, Cook County      Click to request assistance
Homewood IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Margaret Valerius, Cook County      Click to request assistance
Inverness IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Deborah M Lancaster, Cook County      Click to request assistance
Inverness IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- The Will Shoppe, Cook County      Click to request assistance
Jacksonville IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Bradney Rammelkamp Pc , Morgan County      Click to request assistance
Joliet IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Jahnke & Toolis Llc , Will County      Click to request assistance
Joliet IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Myles L Jacobs, Will County      Click to request assistance
Kankakee IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- David M Jaffe, Kankakee County      Click to request assistance
Kankakee IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Larry D Serene, Kankakee County      Click to request assistance
La Grange IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Wilson & Wilson Law Offices , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Lake Forest IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Robert J Kolasa Attorney Cpa , Lake County      Click to request assistance
Lake Forest IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Semmelman & Semmelman Ltd , Lake County      Click to request assistance
Lexington IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Thomas Sheilds, Mclean County      Click to request assistance
Libertyville IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Carey J Schiever , Lake County      Click to request assistance
Libertyville IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Howard M Lang, Lake County      Click to request assistance
Libertyville IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Suskin Menachof & Associates Ltd , Lake County      Click to request assistance
Lincoln IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Miller & Miller , Logan County      Click to request assistance
Lincoln IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Thomas L Van Hook, Logan County      Click to request assistance
Lisle IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Croft C Waddington Pc , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Macomb IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Jim D Lucie, Mcdonough County      Click to request assistance
Mahomet IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Manuel Law Firm , Champaign County      Click to request assistance
Marengo IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Franks Gerkin & Mckenna Pc , Mchenry County      Click to request assistance
Marengo IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Pollock Meyers & Eicksteadt Ltd , Mchenry County      Click to request assistance
Marion IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Basi & Basi , Williamson County      Click to request assistance
Marion IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Frances E Salimi, Williamson County      Click to request assistance
Maryville IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- David M Hicks Pc , Madison County      Click to request assistance
Mchenry IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Alan E Basford, Mchenry County      Click to request assistance
Mchenry IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Rupp & Youman , Mchenry County      Click to request assistance
Mokena IL - Illinois trust asset management -- John W Pleta, Will County      Click to request assistance
Moline IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Califf & Harper Pc Attys , Rock Island County      Click to request assistance
Moline IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Derek Hancks Pc Attorney At Law , Rock Island County      Click to request assistance
Moline IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Linnea E Thompson, Rock Island County      Click to request assistance
Moline IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Long Jamieson & Associates , Rock Island County      Click to request assistance
Moline IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Mark W Schwiebert, Rock Island County      Click to request assistance
Moline IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Mid America Law Offices Ltd , Rock Island County      Click to request assistance
Moline IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Nash Nash Bean & Ford Llp , Rock Island County      Click to request assistance
Morton Grove IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Reizner Robin Cheryl Attorney At Law , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Naperville IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Gary M Moore, Will County      Click to request assistance
Naperville IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Joanna M Liotine-Leafblad Attorney At Law , Will County      Click to request assistance
New Lenox IL - Illinois trust asset management -- John Boland Attorney At Law , Will County      Click to request assistance
Newton IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Leffler & Hartigan , Jasper County      Click to request assistance
Northbrook IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Erickson Papanek Peterson Erickson , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Northfield IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Digiacomo & Somers Llc , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Northlake IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Favil David Berns & Associates Llc , Cook County      Click to request assistance
O Fallon IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Evans Law Firm , St. Clair County      Click to request assistance
O Fallon IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Kasten Green Glassl Welch Llp , St. Clair County      Click to request assistance
O Fallon IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Michael J Benson Cpa Jd , St. Clair County      Click to request assistance
Oak Brook IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Daniel O Hands Pc , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Oak Brook IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Ralph W Miller Jr , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Oak Park IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Evelyn Gross Law Offices , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Oak Park IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Sheryl E Fuhr Attorney At Law , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Orland Hills IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Lechner Law Office , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Orland Park IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Al J Beaudreau Ltd , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Orland Park IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Edward J Schoen Pc , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Orland Park IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Jahnke & Toolis Llc , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Orland Park IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Joanna M Leafblad, Cook County      Click to request assistance
Orland Park IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Jones & Jones Law Office , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Orland Park IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Law Office Of Kerri B Rubach , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Ottawa IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- White Marsh Anderson Martin Vickers, Lasalle County      Click to request assistance
Palatine IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Herbert Schnitzer, Cook County      Click to request assistance
Palos Heights IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Andringa & Associates Law Office , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Palos Heights IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- James J Morrone Pc , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Palos Hts IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- James J Morrone Pc , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Paris IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Frisse Law Offices Llc , Edgar County      Click to request assistance
Park Ridge IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- John J Pembroke & Associates , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Park Ridge IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Otto & Morris Pc , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Peoria IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Jack Boos Pc , Tazewell County      Click to request assistance
Plainfield IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Gruber Law Office Ltd , Will County      Click to request assistance
Red Bud IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Rau & Cooper Law Office , Randolph County      Click to request assistance
Riverside IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Frederick C Niemi, Cook County      Click to request assistance
Roanoke IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Albert K Semmler, Woodford County      Click to request assistance
Rock Island IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Clarence A Darrow, Rock Island County      Click to request assistance
Rock Island IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Douglas R Walker, Rock Island County      Click to request assistance
Rock Island IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Eagle & Eagle , Rock Island County      Click to request assistance
Rock Island IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- James H Schultz Pc , Rock Island County      Click to request assistance
Rockford IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Ellis And Ellis , Winnebago County      Click to request assistance
Rockford IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Frank J Eubank Jr , Winnebago County      Click to request assistance
Rockford IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Guyer & Enichen , Winnebago County      Click to request assistance
Rockford IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Howard & Hardyman Llp , Winnebago County      Click to request assistance
Rockford IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Hyzer Hyzer & Jacobs , Winnebago County      Click to request assistance
Rockford IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Law Office Of Crosby & Associates Pc , Winnebago County      Click to request assistance
Rockford IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Ray A Ferguson & Associates Ltd , Winnebago County      Click to request assistance
Rockford IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Thomas G Ruud Atty , Winnebago County      Click to request assistance
Rockton IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- James E Meason, Winnebago County      Click to request assistance
Roselle IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Bryan E Mraz & Associates , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Rosemont IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Charles C Harth & Associates , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Rosemont IL - Illinois trust asset management -- The Law Office Of John D English , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Salem IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Jared Hunter Atty At Law , Marion County      Click to request assistance
Salem IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Mark Haney, Marion County      Click to request assistance
Skokie IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Bert L Kahn Ltd , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Skokie IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Law Office Of Barbara E Lusky, Cook County      Click to request assistance
Springfield IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Barber Segatto Hoffee & Hines , Sangamon County      Click to request assistance
Springfield IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Bradney Rammelkamp Pc , Sangamon County      Click to request assistance
Springfield IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- David R Reid, Sangamon County      Click to request assistance
Springfield IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- James W Ackerman , Sangamon County      Click to request assistance
Springfield IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Joshua Becker, Sangamon County      Click to request assistance
Springfield IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Kerley & Associates , Sangamon County      Click to request assistance
Springfield IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Kevin Linder, Sangamon County      Click to request assistance
Springfield IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Law Offices Donald A Lobue , Sangamon County      Click to request assistance
Springfield IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Londrigan Potter & Randle Pc , Sangamon County      Click to request assistance
Springfield IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Rhonda K Jenkins, Sangamon County      Click to request assistance
Springfield IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Scott & Scott , Sangamon County      Click to request assistance
Swansea IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- James P Stiehl, St. Clair County      Click to request assistance
Tinley Park IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Bettenhausen & Jarman Ltd , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Tinley Park IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Cossidente & Salus Ltd , Cook County      Click to request assistance
Waukegan IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Dan E Babarik, Lake County      Click to request assistance
Waukegan IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Fuqua Winter & Stiles Ltd , Lake County      Click to request assistance
Waukegan IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Henderson & Henderson Pc , Lake County      Click to request assistance
Waukegan IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Stephen M Martin, Lake County      Click to request assistance
West Frankfort IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Terry M Green, Franklin County      Click to request assistance
Westmont IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Marsik J Scott , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Wheaton IL - Illinois charitable remainder trusts -- Andy P. Kinne, CSA, Kinne Planning Institute, Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Wheaton IL - Illinois living wills and medical directives -- Huck & Brisske , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Wheaton IL - Illinois estate taxes, income taxes and capital gains -- Stock Carlson Flynn & Associates , Dupage County      Click to request assistance
Wheeling IL - Illinois end of life bereavement -- Kulinsky Lois & Associates Ltd , Jasper County      Click to request assistance
Woodstock IL - Illinois tax planning and trusts -- Caldwell Berner & Caldwell , Mchenry County      Click to request assistance
Woodstock IL - Illinois trust asset management -- Francis X Gosser, Mchenry County      Click to request assistance

 

Contact Illinois Estate, Tax, Trust, & Retirement Planning

For the convenience of the public, care providers are listed on this page to show services available in a particular area. We cannot verify the business practice or the background of providers listed on this page. As a result, we do not provide contact information. Members of the Illinois Care Planning Council, listed on this site, have agreed to abide by a code of ethics. If you wish to contact a member of the Illinois Care Planning Council regarding any of the eldercare services listed on this page, please fill out the form below and a council member will contact you. Please be aware that your information may be shared with other members of the Care Planning Council who might be able to help you as well. Read Our Disclaimer.

 

ILCPC

Let Us Help You with Your Eldercare Problems or Questions

The Illinois Care Planning Council (ILCPC) lists companies and individual providers on this website who help families deal with the crisis and burden of long term care. One purpose of this website is to educate the public on the need for care planning before a crisis occurs. A second purpose is to provide, in one place, all of the available government and private services for eldercare. Finally, our ultimate mission is to offer a trusted listing service that the public will recognize and turn to for expert help in dealing with the challenges of long term care.

 
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About Estate Planning and Trust Management

Estate Planning
Trust Management

Estate Planning

A key deficiency in the process of planning for long term care occurs when seniors fail to provide for orderly distribution of assets at death and fail to let their family know what to do when the senior can no longer handle his or her own affairs.

Estate planning from a qualified estate planning attorney, a financial adviser who specializes in estate planning or a CPA planner is the design of documents to provide the orderly transfer of assets and property to the next generation. Wills, living trusts and a myriad of other trust documents or business arrangements to avoid estate taxes, income tax and real estate capitol gains are some of the principal documents used. Estate planning also concerns issues of business succession or disability of a business owner.

Many estate planners are also adding final directive or end-of-life documents such as living wills, powers of attorney and special medical directives. But often these are considered secondary to the process of transferring assets or property. Unfortunately, these documents are much more important to family caregivers dealing with the needs of elderly loved ones.

Estate planners also need to become more involved in the planning process for long term care by helping in the production of a written long term care plan. This should also include meetings with potential family caregivers and instructions or checklists for these people. This important aspect of planning is often overlooked.

Elders or their families who are assisting them should insist on more careful planning for long term care issues when doing an estate plan.

Some advisers have recognized this need and have put together a team of experts such as attorneys, care managers and financial planners who provide a more complete and comprehensive approach to estate planning, long term care and end-of-life issues.

Trust Management

Many people who create trusts or wills or both will designate a trust company or bank to be a trustee for their property instead of using a member of the family or close friend to do this. The reason is that, all too often, assets are mismanaged or even stolen by family members or friends. Using a trust company that has a legally mandated, public fiduciary responsibility avoids this problem.

Trust companies are valuable partners in the management of trusts and in the process of estate planning. These companies, for a small fee, will manage and invest assets, maintain escrow accounts, hold property pending an exchange sale, provide life insurance and income annuities and provide safekeeping of valuables.

A trust is a legal document that "entrusts" property to a trustee (a bank, attorney, individual or trust company) to manage for a person or persons (beneficiaries of the trust) whom the maker of the trust wants to benefit. In most cases, the maker of a trust is creating a benefit for a loved one that will be distributed after the death of the creator or maker of the trust. Trusts usually involve very specific and detailed instructions on how a trustee is to carry out the duty of managing or distributing the property on behalf of a beneficiary.

A trustee will manage investments, keep records, manage assets and prepare court accountings, paying bills and (depending on the nature of the trust) medical expenses, charitable gifts, inheritances or other distributions of income and principal.

A trust relationship is also created in a will when the maker of the will specifies an entity to be an executor or personal representative of the estate. This person or company then becomes a trustee for the deceased individual who made the will. The responsibilities of an executor in settling the estate of a deceased person include collecting debts, settling claims for debt and taxes, accounting for assets to the courts and distributing wealth to beneficiaries.

A third party trust officer such as a bank, attorney or trust company may also assume the role of a guardian for a minor child, distributing assets in a prearranged manner when the child becomes an adult. Or the trust officer may also act on behalf of a developmentally disabled or mentally retarded person distributing assets under a special needs trust.

Trusts are most often used with estate planning. The purpose of estate planning is to minimize the cost and streamline the process of distributing assets to the next generation. Here are some of the more common reasons people create trusts in estate planning.

  • To avoid probate
  • To minimize or eliminate estate taxes
  • To create life insurance trusts
  • To avoid capital gains taxes on the sale of property
  • To create an annuity income through charitable gifting
  • To receive a charitable gifting income tax deduction
  • To manage assets on behalf of a minor or someone who can't handle his or her own affairs