Trusts & Estate Planning

 

Protecting your family, your wealth and your wishes, working hand in hand with your attorney.

 

A well-designed trust can protect loved ones, reduce taxes, avoid probate and make sure your wealth is managed exactly as you intend. But a trust only works if it is properly funded and thoughtfully invested. Steve Ircha, J.D., Senior Managing Director at Aegis Capital Corp., works alongside your estate attorney and CPA to put your plan into action, from opening and funding trust accounts to managing the investments for years to come.

 

Call Steve to discuss your plan: cell 917-561-5288 · office 914-361-1099 · sircha@aegiscap.com

 

 

 

Types of Trusts and How They Are Used

 

Revocable Living Trust

Created during your lifetime and changeable at any time. You typically serve as your own trustee and keep full control of your assets. A living trust can help your family avoid probate, keep your affairs private and provide for seamless management if you become unable to manage your own finances.

 

Irrevocable Trust

Once established, an irrevocable trust generally cannot be changed. In exchange, assets placed in the trust are typically removed from your taxable estate and may be protected from creditors. Irrevocable trusts are often used to reduce estate taxes, protect assets and hold life insurance outside your estate.

 

Testamentary Trust

A trust written into your will that takes effect after your death. Testamentary trusts are commonly used to provide for minor children or young adults, naming a trustee to manage and distribute funds until beneficiaries reach the ages you choose.

 

Special Needs (Supplemental Needs) Trust

Designed to provide for a family member with a disability without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. The trust can pay for care, therapies, education, travel and quality-of-life expenses that benefits do not cover.

 

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)

Owns a life insurance policy so the death benefit is generally kept outside your taxable estate. An ILIT can provide liquidity to pay estate taxes or equalize inheritances among heirs.

 

Charitable Remainder and Charitable Lead Trusts

Allow you to support the causes you care about while receiving income or passing assets to family. Charitable trusts can provide a current tax deduction and help diversify highly appreciated assets.

 

Spendthrift and Generation-Skipping Trusts

Spendthrift provisions protect beneficiaries from creditors and from their own spending. Generation-skipping (dynasty) trusts are designed to pass wealth efficiently to grandchildren and future generations.

 

 

 

How Steve Ircha Helps

 

1. Coordinate with your attorney. We work directly with your estate attorney and CPA so your investments, accounts and beneficiary designations match your legal plan.

2. Open and fund trust accounts. A trust that is never funded cannot do its job. We help retitle brokerage accounts and transfer assets into the trust.

3. Invest for the trust’s purpose. Whether the goal is income for a surviving spouse, growth for grandchildren or stability for a special needs beneficiary, we build a portfolio that fits the trust’s terms and timeline.

4. Support trustees. We help trustees with distributions, recordkeeping and regular reviews.

5. Insurance and legacy tools. Through Aegis Capital’s insurance department we can help evaluate life insurance for an ILIT, and we can help coordinate Transfer on Death and beneficiary designations.

 

 

 

Let’s Talk About Your Estate Plan

 

Whether you are creating your first trust, updating an old plan or serving as a trustee, call Steve on his cell at 917-561-5288, call the office at 914-361-1099, or email sircha@aegiscap.com.

 

Aegis Capital Corp. and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice, and do not draft legal documents. Trusts should be established with the guidance of a qualified estate planning attorney. Please consult your tax and legal advisors regarding your specific situation.