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WEALTH MANANGEMENT SERVICES
Nikki Dowell, heads our trust and wealth management services. Her extensive knowledge and education in the areas of financial planning and investments allows her to analyze your personal financial situation and prepare a program designed to meet your financial goals and objectives. Contact Nikki Dowell to schedule an appointment. Whether you are preparing to start a family or thinking about retirement, you can benefit from visiting with our experienced Trust Officer's decisions about your financial future. Our trust services can provide financial security for a family, offer tax savings, and protect assets from sudden adversity. Most important, however, professional money management by a trust department can offer the peace of mind that comes from knowing your valuable property is in safe hands under experienced management. First State Bank administers a broad array of fiduciary accounts. Revocable Living Trusts
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TRUSTS Q: What is a trust? A: A trust is a property arrangement in which a trustee, such as a person or a bank trust department, holds title to, takes care of, and in most cases, manages property for the benefit of one or more third parties (beneficiaries). The creator of a trust is called the "trustor," and is also known as the "settlor" or "grantor." Trusts may be revocable or irrevocable. Revocable trusts can be changed or revoked at any time. For this reason, the government considers the specified assets to still be included in the grantor's taxable estate. Therefore, you must pay income taxes on revenue generated by the trust and possibly estate taxes on those assets remaining after your death. An irrevocable trust, on the other hand, cannot be changed once they are set up. The assets placed into an irrevocable trust are permanently removed from the grantor's estate and transferred to the trust. Income and capital gains on assets in the trust are paid by the trust. Upon a grantor's death, the assets in the trust are not considered part of the estate and are therefore not subject to estate taxes. It should be noted that most revocable trusts become irrevocable at the death or disability of the grantor. Q: Why should anyone transfer control of assets to a trust institution? A: First State Bank offers professional investment management and unlike even the most astute investor, the bank never takes a vacation or gets sick. By creating a trust to fit your unique needs, you benefit not only from the bank's experience, but also from the tax advantages, security and legal protection that a trust can provide. The trustor doesn't really "lose" control over the assets, since the trust is managed to achieve the specific purpose defined in the trust agreement. When the trust agreement is signed, the settlor decides exactly how much discretion to give the trustee in managing the assets. While some people impose very strict limitations, many person's allow the trustee to use broad discretion. Overly restrictive limits on the trustee's investment powers don't take into account changing economic conditions, and might prevent the trustee from capitalizing on potentially profitable shifts in investment markets. The trust customer is always protected by state trust law and federal bank supervision. Many states, Illinois included, have the "prudent investor rule," that allows the trustee, unless restricted by the trust agreement, to exercise sound discretion, and consider both the probable income and safety of the assets in making investment decisions. Q: How much money should I have to benefit from a trust? A: Trust accounts vary from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars. Generally, anyone whose property totals more than $100,000 should investigate the possibilities offered by trusts. Included in the calculation of property are the current value of a home or real estate, savings, a business interest, stocks, bonds, life insurance, securities, personal property, collections, and all other assets. Many people are quite surprised to learn what all their property is worth at today's prices. Q: Not all the trust department's services require a trust account, do they? A: That's right. For example, the bank's personal agency services will provide investment advice and will execute and record investment transactions made under your instructions or at the bank's discretion. The trust department's services also include estate settlement and escrow accounts. Q: How do various types of trusts meet different individual needs? A: Mr. Jones was 43, a widower, and had three children, ages 11, 13 and 15. He wished to provide for their living expenses and college education, but knew they were too young to manage his portfolio of stocks. He created a testamentary trust (to take effect upon his death) that would manage his assets, pay the living expenses of the children, pay the college expenses of each child and then divide all remaining assets equally when the youngest child received a degree. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were both 76, and had accumulated a valuable portfolio of stocks and real estate through years of careful investment. Now, about to retire to a warm climate, the Smith's wanted freedom from investment matters. He established a living trust to manage his investments and pay them a monthly income based on their needs. Upon his death, the trust would continue in operation to provide for his wife's needs. Mr. Livingston's estate was valued at $800,000, but he learned that if he left it all to his wife outright, her estate would face almost $50,000 in taxes when she died. By establishing several trusts for his wife and children, he eliminated the eventual tax burden entirely. Q: I think a trust arrangement could benefit me; what is the next step? A: Schedule an appointment with Nikki Dowell, Trust Officer at First State Bank. She will be happy to discuss your situation in a confidential setting to assess your estate value and structure and determine if trust services may be advantageous to you, either now or in the future. It is also important to consult your attorney and accountant for a comprehensive financial picture. Contact Nikki Dowell, Trust Officer, at (217) 762-9431 for an appointment to discuss how our services might benefit you and your family's financial future. She will be glad to visit with you, and you are under no obligation. |
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