We all want the best for our grandkids. Americans are often in a better financial position later in life to help our youth finance their education. Wouldn’t it be amazing to send the grandkids off to college with a suitcase full of cash? However, most of us need to take a smarter approach. That’s where your estate planning comes in. With the right tools, you can help cover tuition (and maybe even a few pizza nights) without leaving your own financial future up in the air.

Let’s take a look at 3 ways to secure the grandkids’ future—and keep your wallet (and estate) intact!

 

529 Plans: Lifetime Gifting to Pay for Grandkids’ Education

Helping your grandchildren pay for their education while you’re still around can be a meaningful way to invest in their future. One effective method is by making “lifetime gifts,” where you provide financial support during your lifetime, either directly or through tax-advantaged options like 529 plans. While this approach offers several benefits, it’s essential to consider both the advantages and potential downsides before diving in.

How Lifetime Gifting (529) Works:
When it comes to funding education, there are two ways to use lifetime gifts:

Direct Gifts 

You can gift money directly to your grandkids or to their parents to help with education costs. Under current IRS rules, you can gift up to $18,000 per person (in 2024) annually without triggering a gift tax. If you’re married, you and your spouse can give $36,000 together per year, per grandchild.

529 College Savings Plans

Another option is contributing to a 529 plan, a tax-advantaged savings account designed for educational expenses. You can “superfund” a 529 by front-loading up to five years’ worth of gifts at once ($90,000 per person in Rhode Island in 2024), which helps the funds grow more quickly thanks to compound interest and potential tax-free growth.

There are many benefits to using lifetime gifts to fund educational expenses, including having an immediate impact– you get to see your gift put to good use. Lifetime gifts may also reduce gift and estate taxes. Contributions to a 529 plan grow tax-free, and withdrawals used for qualified education expenses are also tax-free. There are some drawbacks to consider, such as loss of control over your assets, and potential impact on financial aid.

 

2. Using Traditional Estate Planning To Fund Higher Education

One of the most meaningful legacies you can leave is the gift of education for your grandchildren. This can also be done using traditional estate planning tools, you can ensure that your assets are allocated toward helping them pay for their education after you’re gone. Several estate planning methods can provide both flexibility and security in achieving this goal.

Direct Bequest in a Will

Perhaps the easiest way to allocate direct gifts to your grandchildren’s education is to simply put it in your will. This simple method allows you to designate a specific amount of money or assets to go toward education expenses. The executor of your will ensures that these gifts are distributed after your passing.
The benefits of using a bequest in your will is that it is straightforward and easy to implement.
However, since a will is subject to probate, this can delay access to funds and subject them to probate costs, reducing the overall amount. Also, once the funds are in the hands of your beneficiary grandchild, they can use them however they choose.

Testamentary Trusts

 A testamentary trust is created through your will and only comes into effect after you pass away. You can specify that a portion of your estate is set aside for your grandchildren’s education. A trustee you appoint will manage the funds and ensure they are used for school-related expenses. You can outline specific instructions, such as covering tuition, books, or other education-related costs.
Using a testamentary trust offers more control over how and when the funds are distributed and can provide clear guidance to ensure the money is used solely for education.
However, because the testamentary trust is created within a will, the funds are subject to probate, which again can delay access to the money and increase legal costs.

Living Trusts

A living trust allows you to place assets into the trust during your lifetime, specifying that funds be used for your grandkids’ education. The trust avoids probate, ensuring quicker access to funds when needed. You can set conditions for distributions, such as only releasing funds for educational purposes or when the beneficiary reaches a certain age.
The living trust provides privacy by avoiding probate, and offers flexibility in managing funds. It also allows the trustee to handle assets for multiple grandchildren. However, creating the living trust requires proper management and funding during your lifetime.

The Common Pot Trust

The common pot trust works by creating a single pool of assets, intended for the beneficiaries, which is placed into a single trust and is managed by a trustee. The trustee has discretion over how to use the funds to benefit each beneficiary, considering the needs of each individual rather than allocating an equal share to everyone.

The trustee can distribute money from the trust based on the needs of each beneficiary. For example, if one child needs help paying for college while another has no immediate needs, the trustee can use the funds for the one with the higher expenses. This flexibility ensures that the funds are used where they are most needed at any given time.

The trust remains in place until the youngest beneficiary reaches a specified age, which could be 18, 21, or another age determined by the grantor (the person who created the trust). Once that age is reached, the remaining assets are usually divided among the beneficiaries.

The benefits of a common pot trust include allowing funds to be used where they’re most needed, ensuring no one is left without support, and ensuring that every beneficiary gets the help they need, whether that’s education, medical expenses, or living costs. Some drawbacks include the potential for conflict. Since distributions are based on needs rather than equal shares, some beneficiaries may feel treated unfairly if they perceive unequal treatment.

 

3. Using Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) OR Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) Accounts

These custodial accounts allow you to gift assets to your grandkids while naming a custodian (such as a parent) to manage the funds until the child reaches the age of majority. These accounts can be used for a variety of purposes, including education, but once the grandchild comes of age, they can use the funds however they see fit.

These accounts are easy to set up, with no legal fees or complicated structures. They provide flexibility in using the funds for education or other needs. However, once the grandchild reaches the age of majority, they have complete control over the funds, which may not align with your intentions.

 

Which Funding Option is Best For You?

An education is perhaps the greatest gift you can give to ensure a bright future for your grandchildren. Utilizing lifetime gifting, traditional and non-traditional estate planning tools offer different ways to help our grandchildren cover the costs of education. Whether you want to retain some control over how the funds are used or prefer a simpler approach, there are several options available. To ensure that your estate plan aligns with your goals and maximizes the benefit to your family, working with an experienced estate planning attorney is essential. With careful planning, you can leave a lasting legacy that provides your grandchildren with the gift of education and a brighter future. If you need help determining which of these three ways to give works best for you, contact Estate Planning Attorney Jill M. Santiago today.