Beyond 18: How Trusts Can Secure Your Child’s Inheritance in New York

Imagine this: it’s a beautiful Saturday morning, pancakes are sizzling on the griddle, and your kids are laughing as they chase each other around the house. Life is good. But then, a serious thought creeps in: what would happen to your children if something unexpected were to happen to you and your spouse? This might not be the most cheerful topic, but thinking about these things now, while your family is healthy and happy, is the best way to ensure your children are protected no matter what life throws your way. 

This article aims to offer clarity on how to manage your estate plan to protect assets for minor children. Read on for insight from the experienced New York estate planning attorneys at The Chamberlain Law Firm on ensuring the inheritance of your children is protected.

Inheritances: What Is It

Inheritances are when you want to leave your children a financial head start, maybe for a house or their education. But things get trickier when it comes to minor heirs, especially in New York. Unlike adults who receive their inheritance after probate, children under 18 can’t directly inherit money or property.

New York Inheritance Law: Safeguarding Your Child’s Future

New York inheritance law protects your children’s future, but it also has specific rules for minor inheritances. Here’s the breakdown:

• Minors Can’t Own Directly: Children under 18 can’t directly inherit money or property.
• Court-Appointed Guardians: If no guardian is named, the court steps in and appoints one to manage the inheritance until your child reaches adulthood (18 years old).
• Guardianship for Larger Amounts: For inheritances exceeding $10,000, a “guardian of the infant’s property” is mandatory.
• Parental Limits: Even parents can’t control their child’s inheritance exceeding $10,000 without a court-appointed guardian.

In short, New York law ensures your child’s inheritance is safe and well-managed until they are ready to take control of the proceeds.

Guardianship: Managing Your Child’s Inheritance

If you haven’t created an estate plan and your child inherits a significant amount of money -this is where guardianship comes in. A court-appointed guardian steps in to manage the inheritance until your child reaches 18. While guardians act in your child’s best interest, there are some drawbacks:

• Court Control: The court chooses the guardian, and they oversee how the money is spent.
• Sudden Responsibility: At 18, your child gets full access to the inheritance, which can be overwhelming, especially for large sums.
• Potential Disagreements: The court and family may not agree on who the best guardian is or agree with the level of control or communication.
• Burdens for Guardians: Guardianship involves tax considerations, reporting to the court, and potential legal challenges.

Guardianship can be complex, so it’s best to have a plan in place to avoid these potential issues.

Taking Control: The Advantages of Estate Planning for Minors

While you can’t leave property directly to a minor in New York, estate planning offers powerful tools to ensure your child’s future. Some of the most common estate planning tools are:

• Trusts: This is a legal agreement where you name a trustee to manage assets for your child. The trust lets you control:
  • Who manages the money (trustee).
  • How the money is spent (for education, healthcare, etc.).
  • When your child receives the inheritance (at a specific age or in stages).
• Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA): This allows transferring assets directly to a minor, but with control over the funds until they reach adulthood (typically 18 or 21).

Estate planning avoids the uncertainties of court-appointed guardianship. With a plan, you choose who manages your child’s inheritance and how it’s used, giving your child the financial security you desire.

Choosing the Right Trust for Your Child’s Needs

Trusts offer a flexible way to manage your child’s inheritance. Here’s a breakdown of some common types:

• Revocable Living Trust: This flexible trust lets you make changes while alive. Assets avoid probate and a trustee manages them for your child until a specified age.
• Irrevocable Trust: This trust offers tax benefits and creditor protections by removing assets from your taxable estate. It also allows for controlled distributions to your child over time.
• Testamentary Trust: Created in your will, this trust takes effect upon your passing. You can specify how the assets are managed and distributed for your child’s benefit, including tying distributions to educational milestones.
• Spendthrift Trust: This protects the inheritance from creditors and irresponsible spending habits. The trustee controls access to the principal, ensuring your child receives the inheritance responsibly.
• Educational Trust: Earmarks funds specifically for your child’s education. The trustee distributes funds directly to educational institutions for tuition and related costs.
• Special Needs Trust: Protects a disabled child’s eligibility for government benefits. The trust provides supplemental funds for improved care and quality of life without jeopardizing government assistance.

Remember, this isn’t an exhaustive list, and consulting with an estate planning attorney is crucial to choosing the best trust for your child’s unique situation.

In Conclusion: Estate Planning for a Secure Future

Having minor children is a joy, but it also comes with the responsibility of planning for their future. This article highlighted the challenges of inheritance for minors in New York and the importance of estate planning. By creating a plan that includes a trust or UTMA custodian, you can ensure your child receives your inheritance securely and responsibly, You can choose a guardian, control how the funds are used, and give your child the financial head start they deserve. Don’t wait – contact us to take action today to safeguard your child’s future!

Contact The Chamberlain Law Firm to speak with experienced estate planning attorneys, call us today at (201) 273-9763 for a consultation. For more estate planning advice, be sure to check out our Insight Articles.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice. In the event you would like to speak with a lawyer about the specifics of your case, please contact The Chamberlain Law Firm.