For many people, mapping out an estate game plan is something they intend to think about later. But too often, later never comes.
The reasons for not dealing with estate planning now may include not wanting to confront your mortality or create family conflict. Or perhaps you don't want to discuss money with your heirs or give your wealth to certain family members you don't trust.
However, a well-designed estate plan can help build wealth, minimize taxes and ease the difficulties your loved ones face after you die. And with the help of your estate planning advisor, the process may not be as burdensome as you might think.
The first step is to review your assets so you know what needs to be allocated including:
Subtract your total liabilities from your assets to get your net worth. Include as liabilities:
Identify potential tax problems so you can determine a course of action to minimize them.
Decide who your beneficiaries will be, recognizing that this may change along with the circumstances of your life. With a few exceptions, any person or organization you choose may receive property from your estate. Typically, beneficiaries include a spouse or partner, parents, siblings, children and stepchildren. You may also want to include other relatives, friends and charities.
Depending on your state of residence, you may need some or all of the following documents, which may require regular review and updates as your situation or thinking changes:
As each state has its own terminology or legal requirements for the way these documents are constructed, it is important to consult with your estate planning attorney.
There are other issues to be considered as you plan and you may want to include them in a Letter of Instruction to the executor or personal representative of your estate. The letter, which is meant to be a helpful guide, should include:
Make sure you tell the executor or personal representative, and another person close to you, where the Letter of Instruction is kept.
Remember, your needs and wishes often change as life evolves. Consult with your estate planning attorney or advisor on a regular basis about keeping your documents up to date.
Despite all the reasons some people come up with to avoid estate planning, there are many benefits that make it worth the time, effort and money. Among other benefits, an estate plan allows you to:
If you die without a valid will — intestate, in legal language — state law will dictate who inherits your assets. The laws vary from state to state and generally depend on whether a deceased person has a surviving spouse, children, siblings or other relatives.
Keep in mind that the rules of intestacy are inflexible. Although they may reflect your wishes, it is also possible the end result would be something you find objectionable. For example, let's say a person has no spouse or children but has a lifelong close friend. Without a will, the assets are likely to wind up with distant relatives rather than the friend.
Or let's say you have children but one of them has special needs, or has continually borrowed money from you without paying it back. Without a will, your assets may be divided equally among your children — when perhaps you feel that would be inequitable.
Dying without a will can result in family fights and additional burdens for your loved ones. Do them a favor and leave an organized, carefully thought-out estate plan.
Get in touch today and find out how we can help you meet your objectives.
