In one of our previous articles, we covered the topic of disclaimers as an excellent post-mortem tax planning tool. As discussed, anyone can “disclaim” a part of their inheritance. By doing so, it would go to the successor’s heirs as if the beneficiary had predeceased the decedent. But what if you don’t want that bequest to go to your children, and instead, a favored niece or nephew?
Is it possible to do that? The simple answer is no.
What you would need is a Power of Appointment granted to you by the Decedent in their will or trust.
What is a Power of Appointment?
A Power of Appointment is a way to ensure that your estate plan can be adjusted to the beneficiaries’ circumstances at the time of your death. Unlike a disclaimer, which is the beneficiary’s decision to forego the bequest, a Power of Appointment is a granted power to the beneficiary by the Testator or Donor.
A Power of Appointment is the legal authority to make another person the outright owner of the property left by a Decedent. A Decedent gives the power to a designated third party, so the designated person may choose the beneficiaries of the Donor’s trust or will. Essentially, the holder of the Power of Appointment has the ability to divide up the estate between the beneficiaries.
A Power of Appointment can be either General or Limited. A General Power of Appointment gives the third party broad discretion in how assets are to be distributed, whereas a Limited Power of Appointment gives the third party more restricted options.
Let’s say you divide your estate among your children when you write your will. You can name your spouse as the holder of a Power of Appointment so that, when you pass away, he or she can reassess the family’s situation and decide if and how the money should instead be distributed to the children. It can be as broad or as narrow as the Testator decides.
A well-considered Power of Appointment allows you to maintain significant flexibility in your estate plan now and in the future, even when that estate plan is otherwise considered irrevocable under the law.
What is a Disclaimer Trust?
A Disclaimer Trust is granted through the testamentary document. In his or her will, the Decedent states that if a named beneficiary should disclaim, then the assets do not necessarily go to the heirs of the person disclaiming assets. The Testator can state that if a beneficiary should disclaim the assets, they will go to the persons or entities that the Testator dictates. Normally, this is done when a bypass trust is established, but will only be funded if the surviving spouse disclaims his or her interest. However, the Testator can also provide specific instructions if any bequest is disclaimed. The disclaimed bequest can become part of the residue, be passed to that favored niece or nephew, or be given to any third party – outright or in trust.
Examples
- Disclaimer – When a beneficiary says, “I don’t want it”, the bequests are then distributed to the beneficiary’s heirs at law
- Power of Appointment – The Testator gives the power to distribute assets to a third party
- Disclaimer Trust – The Testator identifies a beneficiary, but if that beneficiary disclaims the inheritance, then the Testator identifies the succession and the structure
Please contact one of our Estate & Gift Team Specialists for further information or assistance with your Estate Planning needs.
Note: Any changes to your estate plan must be drafted by your attorney.
Read more on our Estate & Trust articles:
- What is a Power of Attorney?
- The Trust “Oil Change” – Reviewing and Updating Your Trust
- Benefits of Disclaimers in Post-Mortem Estate Planning
- What is a SLAT?
- Common Ways to Hold Title in California
- Uncommon Trusts
- Types of Trusts
- Advantages of Trusts for Estate Planning
- What is a Trust?
About KROST’s Estate & Gift, Trust, and Probate Services
Our estate planning team assists with the transition of family wealth and estate succession. Our team of experts has over 80 years of combined experience working with family-owned and privately held companies, as well as high-net-worth individuals. Our primary goal is to assist individuals and their attorneys to effectively transfer wealth while minimizing unnecessary estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes. In addition, we can coordinate all of your Trust, probate, and estate planning needs to ensure a smooth transition while minimizing emotional, tax, and administrative burdens.
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About the Experts
Douglas A. Venturelli, Esq.
Principal
Tax, Estate & Trust, Gift and Probate, Sports & Entertainment
Douglas A. Venturelli is a Principal at KROST. He has over 45 years of experience in tax, estate, and business services. His main focus is federal estate and gift taxes. Doug consults with clients in the entertainment, legal, real estate, and medical industries. » Full Bio
Richard Umanoff, CPA, MBA
Principal
Tax, Estate & Trust, Gift and Probate
Richard Umanoff is a Principal at KROST. Richard’s career spans over 45 years, with a concentration in taxation. His primary emphasis is estate and trust tax compliance, planning, estate administration, and probate court accounting. Richard currently serves in the role of trustee for numerous clients. » Full Bio