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Scared Your Child Will Blow Their Savings? Consider a Custodial Account.

https://www.goodfinancialcents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MG_5503-150x150.jpg
  • Written By:
    Jeff Rose, CFP®

    Jeff Rose, CFP®

    Jeff Rose, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner™, founder of Good Financial Cents, and author of the personal finance...

    Read More
  • Updated: September 3, 2021
  • 4 Min Read
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I can only imagine what would have happened if my parents would have given me access to a big chunk of money when I was still young.

I used to be really good at blowing my money on crap that I didn’t need, so I’m sure anything they would have saved would have been gone in an instant.

Sound familiar for any of you?

This is just one of the many reasons why custodial accounts were created.

If you’re scared that your child will blow through their savings, here’s what you need to know about custodial account rules.

Basically, a custodial account is established to protect the financial assets given to a minor child. In most cases, the account is created by the child’s parent or legal guardian for one of two functions.

Some custodial accounts can be established to make sure the child has sufficient resources throughout his or her adolescence. Other custodial accounts are created to cover educational expenses after high school graduations.

Additionally, the account can be established to provide a good financial foundation during the child’s adult life.

Custodial Account Rules

While there are multiple reasons that a parent or legal guardian may have to open a custodial account, the process to begin is the same. The account can be opened at a brokerage firm, a mutual fund company, bank or any other type of financial institution. An adult is assigned to manage the account until the child reaches the age requirement for to have full access to the account.

Depending on state legislation, the age range to grant access can be between 18 and 21 years. This is known as the age of majority and the age can be over 21 based on state legislation and specific circumstances.

Additionally, the custodian of the account must approve any transactions that the minor may want to conduct on the account. Investments are allowed but must be limited to mutual funds or similar financial products.

Role of the Custodian

Custodial accounts originated with the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) of 1956 where a custodian is designated to manage the account until the child reaches adulthood. The parent or legal guardian can act as the custodian or name another adult to serve in this capacity. Generally, the custodian’s role is to manage the assets of a custodial account to buy, sell and/or reinvest earnings. If necessary, the custodian can withdraw money from the account when it benefits the child.

The law requires that all assets in a custodial account be used only to benefit the minor child.

Clearly, the expectation is that the custodian will never use the money for personal interests. Paying expenses that are unrelated to the child’s interest is prohibited.

If the custodian is also the legal guardian or parent, they should get expert financial advice on the appropriate use of the funds. There are allowed distributions that may apply. In general, the account cannot be used to pay for daily expenses that the guardian or parent is legally obligated to cover.

What Happens to Investment Income?

The dividends, interest and earnings from investment income is considered income for the child, and the rules around this have recently changed. Currently, when the child is under 18, any unearned income over $2,200 is subject to the “Kiddie Tax”. This rule also applies if the child is under 24 and a full-time student.

Here’s how it breaks down. For the 2020 tax year, the child’s unearned income under $1,100 is not taxed; the next $1,100 is taxed at the child’s tax rate, which can be very low, and any unearned income in excess of $2,200 is taxed at the parents’ tax rate.

Ownership of the Custodial Account

The assets of the custodial account are owned by the child for whom the account was created. While it is true that the child does not control the account until he or she meets the age requirement, the child is the legal owner from the start. Typically, assets are placed into the account as a gift for the child.

Legally, this completes the transaction and a person cannot take the property back at a later date. The same rule applies to any income that generates from the assets, i.e. stocks, mutual accounts.

529 Plans Vs. Custodial Accounts

Establishing savings plans for your kids basically comes down to two options: custodial accounts or 529 plans.  There are many differences between the two, but here’s the main ones I point to people who are interested:

  1. With 529 plans, the owner (usually the parent) is always in charge of the money even after the child turns 18.  This is huge for a lot of parents.
  2. The 529 plans must be used for college or college related expenses (think room and board, books, supplies). Custodial account has no restriction on what the money can be used for.
  3. If the money inside the 529 plan is used for the above mentioned expenses, the owner will not have to pay any income tax when cashing out the funds.
  4. Custodial accounts offer a lot more flexibility with the investment choices (brokerage, high yield savings, etc.). 529 plans are usually mutual funds that are pre-selected by the states plan that you choose.

Overall, if saving for college is your prime goal, I would suggest the 529 plan over the custodial account.   If you don’t want your child to feel like the money has to be used for college, then go with the custodial account.

Termination of the Custodial Account

Custodial accounts terminate when the child reaches the specified age according to state law. The type of transfer may also determine when the account terminates. A parent or legal guardian could designate an age that is different from state law.

For example, state law may require account termination when the child turns 18 years old. However, the creator of the account may specify termination at age 21. Once the account terminates, the child has free reign on how to use the assets of the account.

There are also legal guidelines if the child dies before the account terminates. Typically, the custodian cannot allocate how the assets are distributed. The custodial account becomes part of the child’s estate and must be distributed according to estate laws.

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About the Author

Jeff Rose, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner™, founder of Good Financial Cents, and author of the personal finance book Soldier of Finance. He was a financial planner for 16+ years having founded, Alliance Wealth Management, a SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm, before selling it to focus on his passion - educating the masses on the importance of financial freedom through this blog, his podcast, and YouTube channel.


Jeff holds a Bachelors in Science in Finance and minor in Accounting from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. In addition to his CFP® designation, he also earned the marks of AAMS® - Accredited Asset Management Specialist - and CRPC® - Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor.

While a practicing financial advisor, Jeff was named to Investopedia's distinguished list of Top 100 advisors (as high as #6) multiple times and CNBC's Digital Advisory Council.

Jeff is an Iraqi combat veteran and served 9 years in the Army National Guard. His work is regularly featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Inc.com and Entrepreneur.

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8 Comments

  1. Rita June 30, 2019

    My mother-in-law opened savings accounts for my children. She put the children’s nams S.S.#’s on the accounts, and she was the custodian. She closed them and kept the money. The bank is no help in the situation. They said there are no laws against what she has done to my children.

    Reply
  2. Paula Marth May 5, 2019

    Can the age of the custodial account be extended. I’m in washington state.

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth January 28, 2018

    Looking for information. Exxon 100 shares purchased for infant that has now reached matured age of 21 finds out that the divorced parent named as custodian and who did not have full custody of child has utilized all funds for his personal debt. Funds that the child thought he would have for his college education. No funds were ever used for benefit of child….is this a crime?

    Reply
    • Jeff Rose February 4, 2018

      Hi Elizabeth – I think it is. As custodian, the funds must be used for the child. If not, it can be a criminal act. You should consult with an attorney.

      Reply
  4. meghan August 25, 2015

    My children’s father, and my ex- husband, recently passed away. His old employers put together a 529 plan in Nevada, and there is a substantial amount of money in it. I believe that my ex brother n law is in charge of it, and I have no access or knowledge of anything to do with it. I have tried to reach out and find out anything about it, but was told I do not have any privileges to know anything. I have 3 kids, with no life insurance. As I need to plan their future, how do I find out about the 529 plan ? Also, I have officially become the executor of my ex- husband’s estate.

    Reply
  5. Nikita rodskiy May 1, 2013

    I think custodian account is a great opportunity for parents to help children manage their personal finance and save up for the education!
    Another good idea might be to complement the custodian account with an automatic savings program so that children could contribute part of their personal money towards future financial goals. In that case parents may reward children for example by matching their savings..
    Children’s involvement into building up their custodian account will increase their financial responsibility.

    Reply
  6. Anton Ivanov April 30, 2013

    Jeff, I am a little unsure of what is the exact benefit of creating a custodial account, other than a small tax benefit. It seems that you can just as well gift your child money at whatever point in their lives you see fit, bypassing the hassle of creating a separate custodial account altogether. Perhaps I’m missing something here…

    Reply
  7. [email protected] April 29, 2013

    Seems like a great alternative to giving them free rein all at once. I wonder what potential downsides might be, but I doubt they outweigh the pros!

    Reply

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