Life Interest Trust – What is it? It means that someone you choose to benefit from your estate during their lifetime will get the assets, but that after their death the property will go to your chosen heirs.
You leverage this trust to establish an equitable solution that delivers help now and protects your legacy down the road.
Reversionary interest, also known as life interest trust, is a legal concept based on the principle that a particular person (called the life tenant) will have the right to enjoy property for the term of their life. Such an asset can be a residence or income from investments. They are just not the outright owners of these assets.
Upon the life tenant’s death, the property goes to final beneficiaries (usually the children or other family members you originally intended) according to your wishes. This arrangement enables your estate to be administered in the way that you desire and also protects your estate from unexpected claims or risks.
The trust starts once it is properly established and funded. The ”life tenant gets what is referred to as the equalization benefit, value for life — often, the right to use the family home, or the right to receive income from investment returns. They can’t sell the property, nor can they profit from the capital.
When they die, the trust terminates and the principal is transferred to those named as remainder beneficiaries. This ensures the estate is not diminished and is transferred as intended with no delay or legal uncertainty.
A life interest trust provides a sensible way to look after a surviving partner yet safeguard your estate for generations to come. It lets your spouse stay in the family home or earn money, without giving them the whole enchilada. After you’re gone, your designated heirs — think children, not your new partner — get the assets, regardless of what happens with the new spouse.
Such a trust also provides protection from abuse, claims by unintended beneficiaries, and family strife. It offers an unambiguous legal framework for managing assets and allows for long-term planning without having to give up early control. It is even more essential in second families for clarity, peace of mind and fairness.
A life interest trust has certain inheritance tax connotations. Upon the establishment of the trust, the assets are not totally excluded from the life tenant’s taxable estate. and will not be subject to inheritance tax on their half on death.
And, if any trust property produces income or gains, then more taxes may be involved, such as income or capital gains taxes. Accordingly, you should take great care and seek professional advice about establishing the trust, since the potential financial impact may not be readily apparent and because the consequences need to be effectively managed.
One of the advantages of a life interest trust is that it provides safeguards against accidental disinheritance, particularly on remarriage. Give nothing to children of previous relationships Provisions for children from previous relationships can become more complicated if your spouse remarries after your death and leaves everything to their new partner: The children of the other relationship may get nothing.
By establishing this trust, you can be sure that your spouse benefits during his or her life and that your assets will later pass to your intended heirs. It gives peace of mind that your estate won’t end up in a different direction because of a family’s unexpected life circumstances.
Laws, families and individual goals shift. That’s why it’s important to review your life interest trust regularly. By revising the trust as necessary, you help ensure that it continues to reflect your wishes and complies with changes in state and federal law.
If a beneficiary’s circumstances change or tax laws are revised, a review can help you make changes to the trust, if appropriate. Continual focus ensures that the property is sheltered and continues to reflect your long-term objectives.
Yes. Even when a life interest trust is used, it is not a substitute for a will. And there is no trust at all, it is only in relation to the assets you specifically transfer to it. A will dictates what happens to all of your other property and helps you do so without getting caught up in the legal system.
Together, having these two tools in place makes up a full estate plan. Your trust covers certain assets and your will covers the rest, such as guardianship and personal requests.
Using a life interest trust in your will helps you to find that balance between taking care of your loved ones and protecting your estate. It’s a proactive solution that offers clarity, control, and long-term protection.
Whether protecting the family home, distributing generational wealth, or preventing future disputes – this trust ensures that your legacy is respected – precisely as you envisaged it.
Securing your family’s future doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re considering a life interest trust, now is the perfect time to take the first step. With expert guidance, you can ensure your loved ones are protected and your estate is passed on exactly as you intend. Contact our team today to discuss your options and start building a lasting legacy with confidence.
