30.04.2015 Views

Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

D. Division of <strong>Trust</strong>. Since incentive trusts will usually involve<br />

unequal distributions among the trust beneficiaries, the typical “pot” or<br />

“basket” trust may produce significant discord among family members. The<br />

client should be encouraged to consider requiring the division of the trust<br />

assets along family lines or in some other objective fashion.<br />

E. ADR. The client should also consider the use of mediation or<br />

binding arbitration in order to resolve disputes without litigation as long as<br />

the mediator will not be allowed to usurp the duties of the trustee.<br />

F. <strong>Trust</strong> Protector/Special <strong>Trust</strong>ee. For those generation-skipping<br />

or dynasty trusts, it would be appropriate for the client to establish an<br />

independent, unrelated trust protector with the power to amend the trust<br />

instrument for specific tax purposes or to change the situs of the trust.<br />

Typical state laws that provide for the appointment of a trust protector allow<br />

the client to establish the trust protector’s powers and discretions and<br />

further direct that the exercise or failure to exercise of any specific powers<br />

shall be binding on all persons interested in the trust. For example, South<br />

Dakota law allows the use of trust distribution advisors.<br />

G. Situs. The client and the estate planner should carefully<br />

determine the appropriate situs for the trust. If a trust protector is not<br />

utilized, the trustee should be given the power and authority to change the<br />

situs of the trust. The client may want to permit the trust to be<br />

administered in an offshore jurisdiction. It is important for the trustee to<br />

have the power to select the most appropriate situs for the trust in light of<br />

the client’s objectives.<br />

H. Income Taxes. The trustee may be directed to consider the<br />

income tax effects of distributions, and gross-up a beneficiary’s distribution<br />

to account for income taxes payable by the beneficiary.<br />

VII.<br />

Other Vehicles.<br />

When focusing on incentive estate planning techniques and provisions,<br />

the estate planner should not overlook the importance of the use of family business<br />

entities. Family business organizations may be used quite effectively as tools for<br />

encouraging appropriate behavior by family members. With typical family limited<br />

partnerships, limited liability companies, or closely-held corporations, the rights of<br />

the limited partners, minority shareholders and members are usually restricted. The<br />

timing of distributions to children and grandchildren or trusts established for their<br />

benefit can be controlled to a certain degree. Charitable trusts and private<br />

foundations can also be vehicles for involving family members with investment<br />

decisions and philanthropy.<br />

9

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!