Legend: MICHAEL JACKSON
Estate Planning Mistake: FAILURE TO FINISH WHAT YOU START
The singer's fame and place in pop culture is so big that even though he was a human being like the rest of us, it seemed he would somehow live forever. That's partly why nearly everyone was shocked at his 2009 passing and still are today.
Although the music legend, Michael Jackson, did so many things right in the music industry, one thing he failed to do right was his estate planning. One major lesson that can be learned from Michael Jackson's estate is: FAILING TO FINISH WHAT YOU START
Michael Jackson created a trust, but never fully funded it, which defeated a primary purpose of having a trust. This caused a lot of fighting within his family. His estate was made public when filed with the probate court and all secrets were let out for the world to see.
“If you never place the items you wish to keep protected into the safe, and someone robs your house, your assets are not protected. ”
Why would someone want a revocable trust?
What is a revocable trust?
A legal document that allows you to state your final wishes. In Florida, you can state who will receive and who will not receive from your estate. You are able to retain control of your assets during your lifetime and place stipulations on those who are to receive from your estate after your passing.
What are the benefits of a revocable trust in Florida?
(1)Keep assets out of the probate court. Eliminates court fee and attorney's fees
(2)No delays and hassles associated with the probate process
(3)Private document. No one will ever have access to your financial information or who benefited from your estate.
How do you 'fund' a trust in Florida?
A trust is only as valuable as the assets that 'fund' it. If the trust is not funded, the trust is nothing more then a sheet of paper. Funding a trust simply means transferring property into the trust as well as retitling bank accounts, real estate and investments.
For example, you purchase a safe that is fireproof, waterproof, and is drilled into the ground so a burglar cannot remove it easily from the home. If you never place the items you wish to keep protected into the safe, and someone robs your house, your assets are not protected. They were never placed in the safe. Same is true if you don't fund the trust with your assets. They will have to go through probate if not properly placed in your trust.
If you go through the effort of drafting a trust, make sure you complete the process and fully fund it. Last thing you want to do is pass away with a trust, and not get the full benefits of a trust.
If you live in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach County contact an experienced estate-planning attorney at The Hershey Law Firm, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at (954) 303-9468 to discuss your estate planning needs. You can’t predict the future, but you can plan for it.