The list includes:
- Gift or Loan – Make sure you really want to give a gift. If you expect to be paid back, it is a “loan” and you should get the terms in writing.
- Equal Treatment – If you give more to one grandchild than another, it could cause resentment within your family.
- Tax Requirements – Consider whether the gift is taxable and make sure you report any gifts that need to be reported.
- 529 Plans – If the gift is primarily for educational expenses, then it might be a better idea to use a 529 college savings plan.
- Keep What You Need – Make sure you do not give so much money to your grandchildren that you are unable to meet your future expenses.
- Long Term Care – When deciding how much to give, include the potential costs of your own long term care in a nursing home as part of the money you might need in the future to meet your own expenses.
The above list is not exhaustive. There are many other things you might want to consider before making a gift to grandchildren. Talk to an estate planning attorney about gifting and how it can fit into your overall estate plan.
