What You Don't Know Can Hurt You: The Hidden Dangers of Administering an Estate

Dan McKenzie • December 2, 2023

Will your loved ones know what to do when you are disabled or gone?

 

If you’ve named your children, relatives, or friends to be in charge as “Successor Trustee” of your Living Trust when you’re disabled or pass away, they probably have no idea of what to do! After all, they’ve probably never served as a Trustee before! Unfortunately, what your successor trustee doesn't know could cost your family hundreds of thousands!

 

Worse yet, if your Successor Trustee fails to handle specific tasks promptly and correctly, he or she may be personally liable to your beneficiaries out of his or her pocket!  And you could be placed at risk if an unprepared successor trustee steps in when you're sick or disabled!

 

Statistics tell us there’s more than a 50% chance you won’t be able to handle things for yourself at some point later in life -- and the Successor Trustee better know what to do then, when you’re most depending on it!


For example, does your Successor Trustee know how to:


  • Properly carry out the duties owed to your beneficiaries?
  • Work together with your beneficiaries to avoid conflict and resolve disputes.
  • Access your funds immediately when the time comes.
  • Qualify you for Colorado Medicaid nursing care benefits, should you need them?
  • Deal with your creditors and overdue bills?
  • Avoid an IRS audit?
  • Properly determine the value of your assets.
  • Successfully defend against contests?
  • Avoid liability for self-dealing or conflicts of interest?
  • Get paid compensation and get reimbursed for expenses?
  • Set up proper accounting procedures?
  • Avoid many other pitfalls for the unwary that could expose the Trustee to personal liability -- even if he or she is intelligent, responsible, and good with money.


Your Successor Trustee should. Find Out What they need to know by attending a special presentation.



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