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<p class="MsoNormal">EP peoples, I have a new one that I'm hoping to get an opinion or two on.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Client (A) owns and pays premiums on several term life insurance policies on children's and grandchildren's lives, and (B) pays premiums on
<i>other</i> term life insurance policies that she originally bought for grandchildren but has transferred ownership to them when they turned 18. She wants to continue this practice after death, and also preserve the beneficiary designations on policies she
owns.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To be clear: In category (A), the owner of the policy is the client, the insured life is a child or grandchild of the client, and the client designated specific beneficiaries. In category (B), the owner of the policy is a child or grandchild,
the insured life is that same child or grandchild, and the child or grandchild designates the beneficiaries but client pays the premiums. No life insurance pays at the
<i>client's</i> death; these are all policies that will still exist after the client dies, and premiums will need to be paid, and somebody needs to be designated as owner who will be able to control beneficiary designation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My first thought is to set up a testamentary trust under the Will, and direct that the policies that the client owns be transferred into it, along with a chunk of cash; then the trustee would be directed to use the cash to pay all insurance
premiums (the premiums both on policies owned by the trust and on the policies owned by the grandchildren), and also ensure that the designated beneficiaries on the trust-owned policies are as the testator wants.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does this work? Will an insurance company allow a policy to be owned by a trust, and allow the trustee to designate beneficiaries? Or do I need to contact the individual insurance companies to figure it out?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What about tax issues? Given the size of the client's estate I think there may be a Washington Estate Tax issue, but not a federal tax issue. My preliminary research indicates that valuation of a life insurance policy on another person's
life can be convoluted; my head is swimming with ITR and PERC valuation methods and Rev. Proc. 2005-25.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Any thoughts or recommended resources for more research are greatly appreciated. Thank you!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background:aqua;mso-highlight:aqua">Covid-19 Update -
</span></b>All attorneys are working remotely during regular business hours and are available via email and by phone; please call the Seattle office. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled
on a case-by-case basis; please call the Seattle office.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MAIL AND DELIVERIES can be received at the Seattle office. For any other needed arrangements, please call the Seattle office.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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