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Is it too late for living trust?

Posted on 10/19/23 at 12:56 pm
Posted by CajunInFL
New Orleans, LA
Member since May 2007
2069 posts
Posted on 10/19/23 at 12:56 pm
My father is 83 and slowly declining in health. He's not a rich man, but has a little north of 550K in assets. I'm trying to avoid as many estate taxes as possible. Any tips or guidance would be appreciated. Or any suggestions on someone to help with estate planning.
Posted by tigerrocket
Member since Aug 2008
168 posts
Posted on 10/19/23 at 1:14 pm to
Florida and Louisiana do not have an estate tax. Federal estate tax is only on estates north of 12 million.

A living trust will allow you to avoid probate if all of his assets are transferred into the trust.
Posted by finchmeister08
Member since Mar 2011
39588 posts
Posted on 10/19/23 at 1:32 pm to
i'd say if he ain't dead and can still wave his hand around to make a signature, it's not too late.
Posted by JohnnyKilroy
Cajun Navy Vice Admiral
Member since Oct 2012
40162 posts
Posted on 10/19/23 at 1:55 pm to
quote:

has a little north of 550K in assets. I'm trying to avoid as many estate taxes as possible.


There won’t be any.
Posted by geauxpurple
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2014
16400 posts
Posted on 10/19/23 at 4:26 pm to
In Louisiana, no need.
Posted by NC_Tigah
Make Orwell Fiction Again
Member since Sep 2003
135368 posts
Posted on 10/19/23 at 4:34 pm to
quote:

A living trust will allow you to avoid probate if all of his assets are transferred into the trust.
This!

No tax advantage.

Unless there are unique circumstances, a trust's set up costs and stress for your dad may well outweigh advantages at his estate levels.
Posted by lsujro
north of the wall
Member since Jul 2007
4084 posts
Posted on 10/19/23 at 4:38 pm to
quote:

Unless there are unique circumstances, a trust's set up costs and stress for your dad may well outweigh advantages at his estate levels.


a basic will generally accomplishes everything people want with much less hassle and paperwork. "probate" is not some devilish process unless you are 1) super wealthy with squabbling heirs, or 2) die with tons of debt and few liquid assets
Posted by Mariner
Mandeville, LA
Member since Jul 2009
2519 posts
Posted on 10/19/23 at 5:01 pm to
If you don’t do it then at least get him to gift assets to you so you are not in a mess with probate.

I would do the living trust if he is uncomfortable doing that. It seems like it is a simple trust to make given his assets.

Or do what my grandparents did…..cash out 40 grand of CDs and leave it in a safety deposit box with one trustworthy kid having the key. And no I don’t suggest doing that.
Posted by slackster
Houston
Member since Mar 2009
91300 posts
Posted on 10/19/23 at 5:25 pm to
quote:

If you don’t do it then at least get him to gift assets to you so you are not in a mess with probate.


This is usually a very shortsighted decision if there are any assets that have appreciated in value. It can be shortsighted for other reasons too.
Posted by Free888
Member since Oct 2019
2852 posts
Posted on 10/19/23 at 7:49 pm to
Depending on where it’s held, you can have financial assets (brokerage, 401k,…) transferred on death (TOD) to beneficiaries. Avoids probate.
Posted by Dawgfanman
Member since Jun 2015
25806 posts
Posted on 10/19/23 at 7:52 pm to
quote:

If you don’t do it then at least get him to gift assets to you so you are not in a mess with probate.


Do this and you will lose step up basis at death for appreciating assets..that could have big tax implications when sold.
Posted by LSU1018
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2007
7360 posts
Posted on 10/20/23 at 7:25 am to
You will likely spend more money setting up the trust and transferring assets into it than you will for the succession along with the hassle.
Posted by CajunInFL
New Orleans, LA
Member since May 2007
2069 posts
Posted on 10/20/23 at 8:35 am to
Thanks everyone! Just the info I needed! Much appreciated.
Posted by SalE
At the beach
Member since Jan 2020
2904 posts
Posted on 10/20/23 at 8:43 am to
Non revocable
Posted by TheOcean
#honeyfriedchicken
Member since Aug 2004
45110 posts
Posted on 10/20/23 at 9:30 am to
If he needs help here in Florida I'll give you a deep TD.com discount. I'm an estate planner here
Posted by TheOcean
#honeyfriedchicken
Member since Aug 2004
45110 posts
Posted on 10/20/23 at 9:30 am to
Not in Florida. Attorneys are entitled to a percentage of estate assets. We make a fortune off of probate. Living trusts are 9.9/10 significantly cheaper
Posted by geauxpurple
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2014
16400 posts
Posted on 10/20/23 at 10:23 am to
quote:

avoid probate
Most of the time, setting up a trust and transferring property to it is more involved and expensive than going through a simple probate process.
Posted by LSUFanHouston
NOLA
Member since Jul 2009
40190 posts
Posted on 10/20/23 at 12:07 pm to
A living trust does nothing to hurt or help you from an income tax point of view.

It may help from a probate point of view, but the costs and hassles of probate vary from state to state.

Please do not give gifts of appreciated assets without some clear professional help, as you have the potential to absolutely screw your heirs with regards to income taxes.
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