Mature Life Features

. . . that we’re living in a time

when intelligent people

have to watch what they say

so stupid people won’t be offended.

Insert Incentives in Inheritance

If you have a son-in-law whose drinking has been nettling you for years, there is a way for you to get him under control. If your grandchild hasn’t an ambitious bone in her head, there’s a way to give her some direction.

You can make bequests with conditions that your daughter’s husband curb his alcoholism and improve his relationship with his family and that her daughter complete college before either receives any benefits. Their inheritances can be received all at once, after they’ve achieved the plateaus you’ve established, or incrementally as they progress along the paths you’ve outlined for them.

Incentive trusts can be fashioned in such a way that you can set criteria and conditions for the beneficiaries to meet before collecting any of the inheritance you leave them. If they don’t meet your requirements, they receive nothing – or the minimal amount you’ve decided to allow them.

You can work out the details with your attorney and estate planner.