Frustration of Intent in the Wealth Transmission Process
Gako-hitzak:
Wills, nonprobate, probate, revocable trusts, retirement accounts, beneficiary designations, testamentary intent, Testamentos, no-testamentario, testamentario, fideicomisos revocables, cuentas de pensiones, designación de herederos, intención testamentariLaburpena
In recent decades, the so-called “nonprobate revolution” has taken hold in the United States. Where the probate court once controlled the distribution of property on death, an individual can now avoid the expense and delay of probate by using a variety of mechanisms, such as revocable living trusts and “payable on death” designations attached to savings and retirement accounts. Although the nonprobate system often works well, it has generated unanticipated costs that U.S. law has yet to satisfactorily address. When people experience changes in life circumstances – such as marriage, divorce or death of a beneficiary -- but fail to take adequate steps to modify their nonprobate designations, the law does not enable courts to effectuate a deceased’s probable intent. Unlike wills law, which prioritizes intent effectuation over other concerns, current legal rules governing nonprobate accounts and mechanisms value efficiency and institutional convenience. In addition, the ease and relative secrecy with which non-probate assets are executed can make it much easier for an overreaching friend or relative to take advantage of an elderly person who lacks capacity or to exercise undue influence. As a result of these problems, estates are increasingly being distributed in ways that frustrate the intent of the deceased.
En las últimas décadas, la llamada "revolución no testamentaria " se ha afianzado en los Estados Unidos. Anteriormente, los juzgados testamentarios controlaban la distribución de las propiedades tras el fallecimiento de un individuo. Hoy en día, por el contrario, un individuo puede evitar el gasto y la demora de los testamentos, utilizando diversos mecanismos, como fideicomisos revocables en vida, o designaciones “pagaderas tras la muerte” asociados a cuentas de ahorro y pensiones. Aunque generalmente el sistema no testamentario funciona bien, ha generado costos imprevistos que la legislación de EE.UU. todavía debe abordar de manera satisfactoria. Cuando las personas experimentan cambios en su vida, como el matrimonio, el divorcio o la muerte de un heredero, si no toman las medidas adecuadas para modificar sus designaciones no testamentarias, la ley no permite a los tribunales hacer efectiva la posible última voluntad del difunto. A diferencia de la legislación testamentaria, que prioriza sobre otros asuntos que se ejecute la intención del fallecido, la normativa legal vigente que rige las cuentas y mecanismos no testamentarios, valoran la eficiencia y conveniencia institucional. Además, la facilidad y relativo secretismo con que se ejecutan los activos no testamentarios pueden hacer que sea mucho más fácil que un amigo o un pariente se extralimite para aprovecharse de una persona mayor que no está en plenas facultades, o ejerza una influencia indebida. Como resultado de estos problemas, cada vez más los bienes se distribuyen de manera no se respetan las intenciones del fallecido.
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