The Power of Trusts in Legacy Planning: A Lesson from Matthew Perry's Estate Plan
When Matthew Perry, the iconic star of “Friends”, passed away last year, fans across the globe grieved the loss of a comedic legend. Yet, as details of his estate emerged, a surprising question caught everyone’s attention: with an estimated net worth of $120 million, why did his bank account reflect only $1.5 million? While that may seem like a lot to most, for a star who earned millions per episode, it felt oddly out of place. So, where was the rest of his wealth? The answer lies in the smart use of estate planning, particularly through trusts.
In this article, we’ll dive into Perry’s estate plan and uncover some important lessons for us all—regardless of fame or fortune. Keep reading to learn how trusts can protect your legacy.
Understanding a Trust
A trust is a legal arrangement where one person, known as the "settlor," transfers assets to another person, the "trustee," who manages those assets on behalf of the "beneficiaries." Trusts can serve many purposes, such as estate planning, asset protection, or providing for loved ones.
The trustees appointed to oversee a trust play a crucial role in ensuring the settlor's wishes are carried out. Choosing the right trustee is key—they must be reliable, financially responsible, and knowledgeable about estate planning. They also need to be committed to managing the trust’s assets effectively.
In Matthew Perry's case, it appears he created a trust during his lifetime, reportedly called the Alvy Singer Living Trust (named after Woody Allen's character in “Annie Hall”). This trust likely holds a significant portion of his wealth. The trustees would have been responsible for managing his investments, paying bills, and distributing funds to the beneficiaries.
So, why did Perry choose to establish a trust? Let’s explore the many benefits of trusts in more detail.
The Strength and Advantages of Trusts
There are numerous benefits to using a trust for estate planning. Here are some of the most common:
- Protection from creditors and lawsuits: If a beneficiary faces financial trouble, creditors generally cannot access assets held in a trust.
- Ongoing support during life, incapacity, and beyond: Unlike a will, which only dictates how assets are distributed after death, a trust can provide ongoing support throughout your life and ensure beneficiaries’ needs are met over time. Wills typically transfer assets in one lump sum, even to beneficiaries who may be young or financially irresponsible.
- Minimization of estate taxes: Depending on the size of the estate, federal and state estate taxes can be significant. A trust may help reduce or even eliminate these taxes.
- Avoiding probate: Probate is the court process that occurs after someone dies, and it can be expensive, time-consuming, and conflict-prone. With a will (or no estate plan), probate is mandatory, but a trust allows you to bypass it, saving time, money, and reducing the chance of disputes. It also keeps personal financial details private, as probate is a public process.
- Preventing conflict: Probate invites all heirs and creditors to make claims on your assets, which can lead to disputes. A trust avoids this by keeping the process private and under your control.
- More control over your assets and family’s future: In probate, a judge—someone who doesn’t know you or your family—makes the final decisions about your assets. With a trust, you maintain control and ensure your wishes are followed.
- Protecting assets from substance abuse issues: Given Matthew Perry’s well-documented struggles with substance abuse, it’s likely that he used a trust to safeguard his assets. Trusts can protect the financial stability of those dealing with similar issues, ensuring assets aren’t lost due to poor decisions or legal issues. You can do the same for a loved one facing similar challenges.
These benefits aren’t just for the wealthy, famous, or charitable. They apply to everyone! All it takes is the right knowledge to understand how trusts can work for you. Keep reading, and I’ll show you how to book a call with me to learn more.
One more benefit that deserves special attention: privacy.
The Hidden Power of Privacy
As I mentioned earlier, the court process is public—and a trust can help your family avoid that exposure. But if you’re wondering, “If Matthew Perry had a trust, why do we know about the $1.5 million in his bank account?”—you’ve hit on a key point.
While Perry did have a trust, he also had a will, and wills must go through probate. Any assets not transferred into the trust are managed through the will, meaning they become part of the public court process. That’s why we know about his bank account—the funds weren’t placed in his trust, so they became public knowledge through probate. In fact, you could look up the court records and read his will—or anyone’s—for yourself.
His will did reference the existence of his trust, which is common, but it doesn’t reveal any of the trust’s details—like who the beneficiaries are or how his assets were divided. That information remains private. Had his bank account been placed into his trust, it would have stayed private too.
In short, assets placed in a trust remain confidential, along with your personal and financial details. Assets left out of a trust become public record. So, when you create a trust, simply drafting and signing the documents isn’t enough—you need to take the crucial next step and properly transfer your assets into the trust. Without this, the trust loses its power to protect your privacy and your wealth.
How We Help You Safeguard What Matters Most
As more details about Perry’s estate (and his unfortunate passing) come to light, we may gain a clearer view of his intentions and the legacy he hoped to leave behind. While his passing is undeniably tragic, his estate planning choices highlight the powerful benefits of trusts—and how you, too, can take advantage of them.
At our Personal Family Lawyer® Firm, we work with you to create a comprehensive Planning Session that can include tools like trusts to protect your assets, preserve your privacy, and ensure your loved ones are cared for. Best of all, our approach helps you avoid the hassle of court and reduces the risk of family conflict. By planning today, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your wishes will be fulfilled, your family’s future secured, and your legacy protected.
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This article is a service of 20WestLegal LLC. We don't just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you've ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office in Sudbury, Massachusetts today to schedule an Estate Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge.
The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.