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There are Many Reasons and Uses for an Estate Plan

Posted by Nina Whitehurst | Aug 28, 2018 | 0 Comments

It's easy to put off starting an estate plan.  However, you really do want to take care of your family.

Why should you have an estate plan? There are many reasons and many goals, including providing for your spouse and children, as well as dealing with a family business, minimizing tax liabilities and naming the people you want to act on your behalf when you're gone, according to the Brainerd Dispatch in “Wealth Column: Estate Planning Basics,”

So, what do you need? First, you'll need a will, which is the basic tool for estate planning. It prevents two very expensive and stressful issues: managing your wishes for your estate and possibly losing hefty sums through unnecessary taxes.  However, that's just the start.

You may also need trusts, depending on your family's situation. You'll want to have life insurance policies with beneficiaries. Life insurance proceeds are not governed by the will, so your heirs will receive any funds directly. Benefits from retirement funds fall into this same category. That's why making sure that your beneficiary designations are up-to-date, is so important.

Working with a team of trusted advisors, is productive for most people. Remember that your estate plan touches on taxes and investments as well as your will, power of attorney and medical directive. Consider these steps to get your entire estate plan in order:

  • Gather personal data about yourself and your family,
  • Create a balance sheet of your assets and liabilities,
  • Review your will and any existing trusts,
  • Evaluate all estate tax options, such as the best method of disposing of your share of community property—considering the unlimited marital deduction and the use of tax-sheltered trusts,
  • Consider the optimal way to distribute your retirement plan benefits,
  • Calculate potential estate, gift and income tax liabilities,
  • Determine the availability of liquid assets to meet potential estate expenses and taxes.

An estate planning attorney can work with the information you have gathered to create an estate plan that fits your unique circumstances.

Resource: Brainerd Dispatch (Aug. 3, 2018) “Wealth Column: Estate Planning Basics”

About the Author

Nina Whitehurst

Attorney at Law Nina has been practicing law for over 30 years in the areas of estate planning, real estate and business law She is currently licensed in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon and Tennessee. Her Martindale-Hubbell attorney rating is the highest achievable: 5 stars in peer...

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