When using our website and our service, you may have some questions. Here below is a listing of frequently asked questions about the company and our service. For any questions about us, you may find the answers below.
Q1. What is a trust?
A1. Trusts are separate legal entities, like a partnership or company. They were created by you, friend, parent or even a grandparent. It holds assets for the benefit of you or others. The trust spells out how the assets are managed and how the money should be distributed.
Q2. What services do you offer?
A2. Trust Administration, Investment Management, Tax Preparation and Financial Planning
Q3. What are the common types of trusts?
A3. Living trusts, charitable trusts, irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, dynastic trusts, asset protection trusts are some examples.
Q4. What goes into a trust?
A4. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, cash, partnerships, real estate, private company stock, life insurance, art, collectibles are some examples.
Q5. What can trust do?
A5. Manage your estate tax exposure, make a tax-advantaged charitable gift, protect assets from a creditor or ex-spouse, allow for your assets to be managed and distributed the way you want when you pass away and so much more.
Q6. How do your services work?
A6. You can choose among our 6 core services and mix and match them to your needs. The more services you choose to have with us, we believe, the simpler your financial life will be.
Q7. As a Financial Advisor do I need to be concerned that you will bring the investments in-house at some point.
A7. No. Never. We created this trust company for advisors to use for their clients.
Q8. Who needs a trust?
A8. Not everyone needs a trust, but most people should consider one. Trusts aren’t just for the affluent. Setting up a trust is an excellent way to control what happens to your estate, regardless of its size, to possibly reduce estate taxes and protect against the expense and aggravation of probate. Unlike wills, trusts are not subject to probate and therefore allow you to keep your affairs private.
Q9. Do you work with most custodial platforms?
A9. Most of them. We are custodian neutral.
Q10. Do you charge anything to look over trust documents?
A10. As a courtesy to future clients, we review trust documents free of charge. Our trustee fee begins when acting as the trustee.
Q11. If I name you now as a future trustee, do you charge anything until you become active trustee?
A11. No, fees will be charged only after our agreements comes to effective.
Q12. How flexible is your fee schedule?
A12. Very flexible. We have separate pricing for Directed and Delegated Trusts. We also charge separately for holding partnership interests.
Q13. Is it easy to transfer trustees? Or How difficult is it to transfer trustees?
A13. Pretty darn easy. We do all the work for you.
Q14. Who prepares a trust document?
A14. Usually attorneys draft trusts.
Q15. What about fees?
A15. Generally, fees for trust services are spelled out in the trust document. Under normal circumstances, they are calculated annually, based on the level of responsibility assumed by the trustee and the value of the assets in the trust. Fees are charged quarterly or monthly and a portion may be tax-deductible.
Q16. How are trust assets invested?
A16. Ultimately, it is the purpose of the trust that determines how the assets are invested, and it is the responsibility of the trustee to see that the purpose is carried out. Often, the person who creates the trust will name a professional investment manager to work with the trustee and make investment recommendations based on the goals of the trust, the needs of the beneficiaries and the time horizon.
Q17. Is a trust right for you?
A17. Even people of moderate means may be subject to estate taxes, which could be significantly higher than income taxes. But saving on taxes isn’t the only reason for trusts. Some families want to plan for long-term care or education for their children or grandchildren. Others want to provide for a favorite charity. One thing is certain: if a trust is needed, the time to plan for it is now.
Q18. Why set up a trust?
A18. There are many reasons to set up trusts. Married couples often realign the ownership of their assets to save substantial federal estate taxes and pass more on to their heirs. Rather than owning assets jointly, they choose to own assets individually so that they can each take full advantage of the increasing unified credit amount. Preserving each spouse’s unified credit can save hundreds of thousands of dollars in estate taxes. If the time comes that you are no longer able to handle your own affairs, trusts can ensure that there will be someone who is experienced and objective to “mind the store.” If there is a serious illness or disability, a trust ensures that a plan is in place to take care of your needs and those of your loved ones. When the trust is managed by a full-service trust company, other professional services can be provided, such as bill paying. Business owners can use trusts to save on estate taxes when passing along businesses to heirs. Trusts are also useful for blended families with spouses or children from previous marriages. The trust can spell out exactly how marriage affects the inheritance of children or grandchildren from a first marriage. Naming an independent trust company removes the emotional element often associated with friends or family members.
Q19. How do you choose a trustee?
A19. Many people prefer to name an independent trust company to handle their affairs. Trustees who do not deal with trusts on a regular basis can be overwhelmed by the duties required of them. Also, naming an independent trust company removes the emotional element often associated with friends or family members and assures that your wishes are fulfilled exactly as they are spelled out in the trust.
Q20. What can financial planning help me with?
A20. Financial planning can help you meet your financial goals and enjoy life’s milestones with a sense of security. For example:
Getting married
Buying your first (or vacation and/or income producing) home
Growing your family
Paying off debt
Sending your kids or grandchildren to college
Starting a business
Living your dream retirement
Protecting your family should something happen to you
Passing on your assets how you choose
Once you have a sense of what your goals are and the timeline you want to reach them by — whether that’s in the short or long term — a financial planner helps you assess what you need to do to get there. Sometimes you may not even be clear on what your goals should be; a financial planner can help with that, too. Next you look at what you earn, spend and save to evaluate what decisions and changes may be necessary to help ensure you stay on track. It’s all done with the help of a financial plan.
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