Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Challenging Estate Plans

By Martin M. Shenkman
June 02, 2015

Modern trust drafting has introduced new concepts that will affect the analysis of trusts. The powers granted to the settlor of the trust and other persons to characterize the trust as grantor trust status present interesting challenges and opportunities for matrimonial practitioners. Some of these issues are discussed below. Apart from the terms of the governing instrument and state law, the manner in which the trust is operated could have important bearing on its treatment in a divorce. As trusts have grown more complex, the ability of most clients to administer them in conformity with their terms has become more problematic. These growing lapses may well serve as fodder for matrimonial practitioners looking for a way to access trust income or assets. Part One of this two-part series which appeared in last month's issue, discussed bypass trusts, QTIP trusts, spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs) and qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs). This final installment reviews additional trusts with a focus as to how matrimonial practitioners may attack assets held in such trusts.

Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (DAPTs)

Summary: A domestic asset protection trust is a self-settled trust that the client can create and for which the client is also a beneficiary. DAPTs are used in a number of circumstances. A client might fund a DAPT prior to marriage in order to remove those assets from his or her control before the marriage occurs. For clients facing a state or federal estate tax, transferring assets to a DAPT may be used to remove future appreciation from their estate and thereby minimize or avoid estate tax.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York Image

In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?

Fresh Filings Image

Notable recent court filings in entertainment law.