Retirement Asset Protection Trusts

An Introduction to Retirement Asset Protection Trusts

For many of our clients, their IRA's are often the most significant asset in their estate. With real estate prices being what they are today, that isn't surprising that the IRA is worth more than the home.

Many clients are surprised to find out that their IRA is not distributed through the Last Will & Testament or Living Trust. The Will has nothing to do with the iRA! Instead, your IRA is distributed according to the beneficiary designation form (BDF) that you filled out when you established the account. The IRA will be distributed right to that person (or people) listed on the form, even if the Will says something different.

MANY CLIENTS DO NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT THEIR IRA'S. CONTACT US TODAY AND WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW YOU CAN PROTECT AND PRESERVE YOUR IRA FOR YOUR HEIRS!

Once the IRA is passed onto your beneficiary, he or she can do anything with it, including cashing the entire account in. Also, the entire account instantly becomes part of your beneficiary's estate. If your beneficiary has spending problems, addiction issues, special needs, going through a tough divorce (or potential for one), is in a high risk profession, going through bankruptcy, or generally has creditor problems, this asset is suddenly exposed to all of those issues. If you aren't worried about your beneficiary today, what about tomorrow? The future is uncertain.

Our firm can protect your IRA from all of these challenges. We can protect your beneficiary from him or herself and others, and tailor an IRA Inheritance Trust that can be as accessible or restrictive to the beneficiary as you wish.

By establishing an Retirement Asset Protection Trust, we also ensure that the IRA is allowed to grow tax-free for potentially many years (depending on the age of the beneficiary).

If you are interested in discussing options for your IRA in your estate plan, contact our firm today at (215) 706-0200.

The Law Offices of Jeremy A. Wechsler assist clients with Estate Planning matters in Willow Grove, PA as well as Abington, Hatboro, Dresher, Horsham, Bryn Athyn, Huntingdon Valley, Fort Washington, Jenkintown, Glenside, Oreland, Warminister, Wyncote, Ambler, Elkins Park, Flourtown, Philadelphia, Warrington, Cheltenham, Gwynedd Valley, Jamison, Feasterville Trevose, Richboro, North Wales, Blue Bell, Lafayette Hill, King of Prussia, Collegeville, Oaks, Phoenixville, Oxford Valley, Langhorne, Penndel, Bristol, Fairless Hills, Bensalem, Plymouth Meeting, Furlong, Philadelphia County, Bucks County and Montgomery County.