WisconsinChristianNews.com Volume 27, Issue 1 The Five Hidden Dangers of Beneficiary Designations Page 34
2). No “Pot” of Assets Even if every account does have beneficiaries, the second problem that comes up in non-trust situations is that individuals do not leave a pot of money to pay expenses and specific gifts. If
By Attorney Al Spiegel, McLario, Helm, Bertling & Spiegel Law Offices (See display ad on Page 40 of this issue of WCN) April 2026 At a recent client confer- ence, I asked some long-
owner. In other words, if Uncle Mark is the named beneficiary of all accounts and Uncle Mark dies, where does the money go? With some banks, it goes to Uncle Mark’s children. With others, it goes to the estate of the original
tance could cause all sorts of headaches that were not foreseen or prepared for.
As with the other issues raised, a well-drafted trust would not only avoid probate but also pro- vide protection against the above-listed situa- tions and more. That would allow the bequeathed funds to actually help the benefici- ary, not give them a hard-to-solve headache. 5). Possible Future Problems The final issue with beneficiary designations is born of the same ease and simplicity that makes them seem so appealing to the un- trained eye. The fact that it is so easy to go to a financial institution and set beneficiaries (no notaries, no fees, usually only a few moments of time) means that it is just as easy for a confused or pressured older person to change them in a way that is not consistent with his or her wishes. Attorneys have private meetings to discern true intentions and talk to clients to confirm they are doing what they intend to do. Filling out an on- line form or meeting with a bank advisor for a few minutes does not provide anywhere near the same level of protection. For all these reasons, it is wise to consult with many advisors as part of the stewardship exer- cise of estate planning. Financial advisors and bankers have areas of expertise that provide many benefits to clients, as do estate planning attorneys. McLario.com I think that we all can agree that Ellison is extreme toward the innocent in his lawlessness. Yet, the question that I propose to the people is this: Why do the people put up with it? Eighty-one percent of the American people in this country claim to be Christians, who tolerate what the Lord clearly condemns (1John 2:4). This is not Chris- tianity; this is a lack thereof. Yet, we are to believe that they love the Lord while they disobey Him at every given opportunity (1 John 2:4)? This is not love. This is hate towards the Lord (Deuteronomy 7:10)! “For this is the love of God: that we keep His com- mandments; and His commandments are not griev- ous.” (1 John 5:3; Also read 1 John 2:4). Look at the Church in America. Look at what they tolerate: The hirelings and heresies. Note their apathy and the tolerance toward things the Lord condemns. So, when we see the corruption within the halls of government, remember it first starts with those who are within the walls of the churches because govern- ment in this country reflects what the church tolerates (Exodus 18:21-25; Deuteronomy 17:14-20; Romans 12:21; 1 Peter 2:14). Remember Moses above the Supreme Court build- ing, holding the Ten Commandments, where it is in- scribed right under him, “Justice, the Guardian of Liberty?” The sincerest form of religion is to hate that which the LORD HATES AND TO LOVE THAT WHICH THE LORD LOVES (Psalm 97:10). I sincerely do not mean to offend people, but truth be told, I am offended by what many people who call themselves patriots and Christians tolerate today (Matthew 5:13). Look at what they have procured unto themselves and to their posterity (Amos 6:3). My extremity, as some call it, is obedience to the Lord (and the Laws of our Republic). Of course, it will be an offense to those who tolerate what the Consti- tution and Scriptures condemn (John 7:7). Friends, Christ is the standard, not fallen and reprobate man (Acts 17:31). Never live your lives where the ENEMIES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, both in the natural and the spiri- tual, are not afraid of you in Christ and THE GOD that YOU SAY THAT YOU SERVE (Deuteronomy 8:10; Proverbs 16:6, 28:8; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Proverbs 28:1; Luke 10:19). This is bearing the cross. So I say, IT IS EXTREME WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TOLERATE.
time clients of mine whether any changes to their revocable trust were necessary in light of life changes. Their response was horrifying. “Our financial advisor told us we don’t need a trust, and we can just put beneficiaries on our accounts.” Putting aside the illegal practice of law without a license to do so by the financial advisor, his or her advice is problematic to say the least. The following five potential land mines are com- pletely ignored by just naming beneficiaries on financial accounts. 1). Missed Property The first problem that arises when individuals try to prepare a “do-it-yourself” estate plan is that assets get missed. Did all of the bank accounts get beneficiaries? What about CDs at another bank? What about real estate? What about valuable personal property like cars, art or gold? As much as the bank accounts with benefici- aries do avoid the probate court, any significant (over total value of $50,000) property that does not have beneficiaries will still have to go through the costly and public process.
all of the assets are transferred to one child via beneficiary, that child has no legal obligation to pay for funeral or other final expenses. In addi- tion, that child has no legal obligation to pay any specific gifts laid out in the deceased person’s will. In other words, if a person’s will says that each grandchild gets $10,000, and all accounts are payable on death to Uncle Mark, Uncle Mark has no duty to pay the grandchildren out of his inheritance. 3). No Contingency Plan An additional shortcoming of “do-it-yourself” estate plans is that they are usually completely devoid of any contingency planning in the event a named beneficiary predeceases the account
owner (a/k/a probate). Most clients don’t know the answer to that question, and almost all do not like the answer when they hear it. 4). No Protection for Beneficiaries Yet another concern about beneficiary-only plans is that many beneficiaries are not ideal candidates to get a check for a large sum of money shortly after the death of a loved one. Does the beneficiary have a disability? He or she may receive state benefits that will stop once a check is received. Is the beneficiary a minor? He or she will have to have the money supervised by the probate court until he or she is an adult. Is the beneficiary the subject of a lawsuit or involved in a divorce? The inheri-
Minnesota AG Ellison Calls Bradlee Dean ‘Extreme’ By Bradlee Dean, Sons of Liberty April 2026
SonsOfLibertyRadio.com
Some years ago, the installed scoundrel and fraud- ster from Minnesota, Attorney General Keith Ellison, said to the Daily Beast that people do not realize how extreme Bradlee Dean is. My response was, “At least he understands now that I am not going to offend the Lord by dishonoring His government and despising His authority by subjecting myself to him (Ellison) or any other lawless scoundrel in slighting God’s love. This is church history.” (Exodus 5; Daniel 3; John 3:19; Acts 12:5-17). My rights do not come from him. They come from the Lord. Our representatives work for the people, under God, through delegation, not the people under the said politicians through their lawless dictation. Remember, Ellison swore to uphold God’s Law through his sworn oath, though he has done just the opposite by continuously transgressing it (Exodus 20; 1 John 3:4). This should not be tolerated by the people whatsoever. Again, our rights come from the Lord, not from the Attorney General, and we as a people do not have a God-given right to transgress His law, nor are we to tolerate those who do so. This is criminal (Read Article II, Section 4 and Article I, Section 3, Clause 7 of the US Constitution). Look at this repeat offender Keith Ellion (Hakim is his Muslim name) who has continuously advocated for that which transgresses the Lord’s command- ments. He has criminally advocated for the sodomite agenda, which the Lord condemns and calls an abom- ination (Leviticus 18:22;20:13; Jude 1:7 etc.). He advocates for the murder of innocent babies in America, which the Lord hates (Proverbs 6:17), while simultaneously aiding and abetting foreigners to trea- sonously enter this country, who are found to be de- frauding the people by the billions (Exodus 20:15). The Lord condemns all of this, and so do our laws (Luke 22:48). This scoundrel has also been found to be a patho- logical and chronological liar in hopes of overthrowing our Republic (Proverbs 19:9). The only way this hap- pens is when the people tolerate his crimes in disobe- dience to the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:63). Furthermore, the people in the state of Minnesota also knew that he is, in fact, a woman abuser on sev- eral accounts, and this before he was ever installed as the attorney general.
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