• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Call us today for help!  (631) 265-0599
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Eghrari-Logo

Long Island Elder Law & Estate Planning

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
  • Resources
    • Client Resources
      • Definitions
      • Docubank
      • Elder Law Resources
        • Brentwood Elder Law
        • Central Islip Elder Law
        • Commack Elder Law
        • Hauppage Elder Law
        • Smithtown Elder Law
      • Estate Planning Resources
        • Estate Planning Check Up
        • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
        • Estate Planning Techniques
        • Estate Planning Worksheet
        • FREE Estate Planning Seminars
        • Long Island Estate Planning Resources
      • New York Medicaid Resources
        • Medicaid Planning Worksheet
      • Nursing Home Resources
      • Probate Resources
        • Brentwood Probate
        • Central Islip Probate
        • Commack Probate
        • Hauppage Probate
        • Smithtown Probate
        • Suffolk County Probate Resources & Checklist
      • Presentations
      • Retirement Planning Checklist
      • Trust Administration Resources
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Business Planning
      • Estate Planning
      • Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Incapacity Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicaid Planning
      • Probate
      • Trust Administration
      • Trust Administration & Probate
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Reports
  • Estate Planning
    • Asset Protection & Business Planning
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Family-Owned Businesses
    • Incapacity Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Administration & Probate
    • Young Families
  • Elder Law
    • Coping With Alzheimer’s
    • Emergency Medicaid & Nursing Home Planning
    • Hospice Care
    • Medicaid Planning
  • Areas We Serve
    • Long Island
    • Nassau County
      • Oyster Bay
    • Suffolk County
      • Brentwood
      • Central Islip
      • Commack
      • Hauppauge
      • Smithtown
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Mobile Menu

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
  • Resources
    • Client Resources
      • Definitions
      • Docubank
      • Elder Law Resources
        • Brentwood Elder Law
        • Central Islip Elder Law
        • Commack Elder Law
        • Hauppage Elder Law
        • Smithtown Elder Law
      • Estate Planning Resources
        • Estate Planning Check Up
        • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
        • Estate Planning Techniques
        • Estate Planning Worksheet
        • FREE Estate Planning Seminars
        • Long Island Estate Planning Resources
      • New York Medicaid Resources
        • Medicaid Planning Worksheet
      • Nursing Home Resources
      • Probate Resources
        • Brentwood Probate
        • Central Islip Probate
        • Commack Probate
        • Hauppage Probate
        • Smithtown Probate
        • Suffolk County Probate Resources & Checklist
      • Presentations
      • Retirement Planning Checklist
      • Trust Administration Resources
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Business Planning
      • Estate Planning
      • Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Incapacity Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicaid Planning
      • Probate
      • Trust Administration
      • Trust Administration & Probate
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Reports
  • Estate Planning
    • Asset Protection & Business Planning
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Family-Owned Businesses
    • Incapacity Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Administration & Probate
    • Young Families
  • Elder Law
    • Coping With Alzheimer’s
    • Emergency Medicaid & Nursing Home Planning
    • Hospice Care
    • Medicaid Planning
  • Areas We Serve
    • Long Island
    • Nassau County
      • Oyster Bay
    • Suffolk County
      • Brentwood
      • Central Islip
      • Commack
      • Hauppauge
      • Smithtown
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

What Happens to a Living Trust When One Spouse Dies?

When you understand all of the facts you may decide that you would prefer a living trust to a last will. A revocable living trust will facilitate an efficient transfer of assets to your heirs outside of probate.

Probate is a legal process that provides certain protections, but it can be time-consuming and costly.

The public can access probate records to find out what went on during the process, and this loss of privacy is another concern for many people. The utilization of a living trust as an alternative to a last will would ensure privacy.

Some people assume that trusts are only for people who are extremely wealthy. This is not the case when it comes to revocable living trusts. These trusts are useful for people of relatively ordinary means.

In fact, this type of trust would not be the right choice for wealthy individuals who are concerned about asset protection and estate tax exposure. Because the trust is revocable, assets conveyed into it would be looked upon as part of your taxable estate by the IRS. They would also be fair game for creditors and claimants seeking redress.

Living Trusts for Married Couples

The anatomy of a trust involves a grantor; this is the person who creates the trust. There is also a trustee who administers the trust, and a beneficiary who receives monetary distributions out of the trust.

With a revocable living trust the grantor will typically serve as both the trustee and the beneficiary while he or she is still alive. This ongoing control is part of the appeal of these trusts. You would name successors to assume these roles after you die.

If you are married, you and your spouse could create a joint living trust. Exactly what would happen after the death of one spouse would depend on the circumstances.

Assuming the surviving spouse was the inheritor of all of the property contained within the trust, he or she would simply continue on as the sole trustee and beneficiary.

This can be a streamlined choice if you want to leave everything in the hands of your spouse after you pass away.

It is possible to convey personal property into the joint trust, and you can name different beneficiaries. However, a joint living trust may not be the best option for you if you want to arrange for the future transfer of personally held property to people other than your spouse.

Custom Crafted Estate Plan

When you are planning your estate you should discuss your unique situation in detail with a licensed estate planning attorney. Your attorney will gain an understanding of your situation, become aware of your objectives, and make the appropriate recommendations. You can then make fully informed decisions.

 

 

 

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm
Mark S. Eghrari is an attorney in private practice in Smithtown, New York. He has been in practice since 1988. Mark S. Eghrari provides extensive estate and tax planning services to individuals and businesses. Mr. Eghrari’s primary focus is helping clients avoid probate, minimize or eliminate Federal and State Estate taxes and protect their assets from the high cost of nursing care, if they become ill.
Latest posts by Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm (see all)
  • What You Need to Know about Medicaid’s “Look-Back” Rule - February 1, 2023
  • What You Need to Know about Elder Financial Exploitation - January 25, 2023
  • What Is an Asset Protection Trust? - January 18, 2023

About Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm

Mark S. Eghrari is an attorney in private practice in Smithtown, New York. He has been in practice since 1988. Mark S. Eghrari provides extensive estate and tax planning services to individuals and businesses. Mr. Eghrari’s primary focus is helping clients avoid probate, minimize or eliminate Federal and State Estate taxes and protect their assets from the high cost of nursing care, if they become ill.

Previous Post: « Large Inheritances Tend to Evaporate
Next Post: DIY Last Wills: Don’t Be Fooled »

Primary Sidebar

Blog subscription

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Where We Are

Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm
50 Karl Avenue, Suite 202
Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone: (631) 265-0599
Fax: (631) 265-0754

See Larger Map
Get Directions

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Map

map for Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm office

Footer

Office Location

Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm
50 Karl Avenue, Suite 202
Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone: (631) 265-0599
Fax: (631) 265-0754

See Larger Map
Get Directions

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Sign up to get our free estate planning newsletter for all of our tips and resources

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Site Footer

ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT

Copyright © 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys · All Rights Reserved