As part of your long term care planning, you can also plan ahead for payment of funeral costs. You can put an amount you decide on into an “irrevocable final expense trust” which will pay for funeral and related costs at the time of your passing. The money you put into the final expense trust earns interest until the time the trust is used. If you pass away, your surviving loved ones do not start writing checks to the funeral home. They instead will take the final expense trust to any funeral home, and present it for payment for funeral and related services.
This part of pre-planning makes it much easier on your loved ones when you are gone, in that an amount for your funeral costs has been established, and the check has already been written and the funds are in the trust. There is no longer a need for your loved ones to scramble for funds for payment to the funeral home. The funds placed into the trust are protected by National Guarding Life (NGL), which uses a life insurance policy to fund the trust. With the use of the policy, the funds are not taxable upon your passing. The trust is also not subject to creditors’ claims because it is irrevocable. In addition, there is no legal fee for the creation of the trust, in that the trust is prepared by NGL.
The use of this type of trust can also be useful as part of Medi-Cal planning. When funded properly, the money in the trust will not be counted for Medi-Cal eligibility, and will not be available for recoupment from the state. There is a wide range of related services that the fund in the trust can also be used for, such as clergy honorarium, death certificates, musicians, flowers, memoriam celebration, transportation equipment and driver. Any funds that are not used will go to your named beneficiary.
For additional information, you can contact your elder law attorney Michael J. Young. This information is not to be taken as legal advice, and you are encouraged to see your elder law attorney. At the law offices of Michael J. Young, 1931 San Miguel Dr., Ste. 220, Walnut Creek, CA http://www.WalnutCreekElderLaw.com, 925-256-0298,lawyoung1@gmail.com, we practice elder law and we help Baby Boomers, Seniors and families through their Elder Care Journey. We help families with long term care planning, asset protection plans, special needs trusts, comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts and powers of attorney. We also help Baby Boomers and families get their “Ducks in a Row” in order to help them qualify for Medi-Cal and the VA Aid & Attendance Improved Pension Benefit.