What worked in the past as a benefit of passing down an IRA might no longer apply, but if it’s been some time since you thought about your IRA gifting strategy, now is a good time to revisit.Review your IRA plan concept: Wooden block number

Non-spouse Beneficiaries

The SECURE Act has caused problems for many clients with estate plans who have individual retirement accounts inside. This is because many non-spouse beneficiaries are no longer eligible to take advantage of stretch IRAs, and are instead responsible for withdrawing inherited retirement funds by the end of the 10th year following the original owner’s death.

A three step action plan and a meeting with an experienced estate planning lawyer can help you to identify some of these important issues and to come up with the right strategy.

3 Step Action Plan to Protect Your Interests

First, determine if your situation will be affected by these RMD rule changes. If you have an IRA that is intended to be gifted to a beneficiary of your estate, who is much younger than you, they are likely to inherit these tax consequences most significantly. The second step is to meet with your estate planning attorney to discuss more about how these tax rules have changed your plan and the potential tax problems that this might cause for your beneficiaries. The third step is to discuss alternative planning solutions directly with your estate planning lawyer.

This can be an important way to identify those situations in which your loved ones could be affected by your intentions to support them. Consulting with a lawyer is crucial for helping to protect your interests in these complex situations.

 

 


Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a qualified attorney.

Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP

About Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP

Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP is the CEO and Founding Partner of O'Connell Law, an estate planning and elder law firm serving clients across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. She is one of a select group of attorneys in Massachusetts certified by the National Elder Law Foundation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA). Tiffany focuses her practice on estate planning, trust and probate administration, Medicaid planning, long-term care planning, Alzheimer's planning, charitable planning, and retirement and wealth strategies. She has been helping families plan for their futures since opening her practice in 2010.

Credentials: JD, LLM, CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney — National Elder Law Foundation), AEP (Accredited Estate Planner)

Licensed in: Massachusetts

Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Alzheimer's Planning, Asset Protection

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