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Ok, tell the truth... what would you have done with a pile of money at the age of eighteen? I probably would have made a "bee-line" to the local Chevrolet dealership and driven away with a brand new red Corvette. Not a very good idea, but who thinks rationally when they're eighteen? Not many of us, but maybe you were the exception. :) Almost always, when I prepare an estate plan for my clients, I recommend that they create a trust to hold back a child's (or grandchild's) inheritance until at least the age of twenty-five. Sometimes, they'll even pay out a child's share in two or three installments over a period of a decade or more. Trust funds are made available for healthcare, education and maintenance ("to keep a roof over Susie's head"), but the child can't just "blow" the money on an impulse or a series of immature decisions. You love your kids and grandkids, I'm sure, and you obviously want the best for them. If you haven't already done it, that means taking a few easy easy steps toward ensuring that their inheritance survives their early adulthood. Or, in some more drastic cases, you may even consider holding funds in trust for a longer period, to guarantee they'll always have at least a modest standard of living. If I can help you, a family member, or friend protect the next generation, please contact me at (813) 244-7758 or Ross@RossSpanoLaw.com.
Cheers,
Ross Spano