Estate planning involves determining how a person's assets will be preserved, managed, and distributed after death. It also takes into account the management of a person's assets and financial obligations in the event of a person becoming incapacitated. Retirement plans, such as 401 (k) workplace plans and individual retirement accounts Take an inventory of everything you own, from cars to collectibles. Think about whether you have adequate life insurance to leave your family in a position where they can sustain the life you currently lead.
Estate planning is the process by which an individual or family organizes the transfer of assets before death. An estate plan aims to preserve the maximum amount of wealth possible for the intended beneficiaries and flexibility for the individual before death. One of the main concerns of estate plan writers is federal and state tax law. Many people think that estate planning is a process that must be done to prepare for what happens when you die.
However, a key component of estate planning includes documentation in case you become incapacitated. Perhaps the biggest benefit is that if you don't prepare properly for what should happen in the future while you're healthy and able, you won't have a say in how your estate is managed or what your loved ones will receive when that time comes. You can save time and money while still offering a superior product that encompasses all the important things you want to take care of with your estate plan. For example, if children are not old enough or mature enough to handle a large inheritance, an estate plan can address this by making provisions through a trust.
Once you have an idea of what is in your estate, think about how to protect assets and your family after you die. You can get an affordable, legal, effective and valid Estate Plan that ensures that your wishes are known should the time come when it's needed. If you have young children or own a home, or you may owe significant debts or estate taxes when you die, life insurance may be a good idea. In some states, a similar payee designation can be added to real estate, allowing that asset to avoid the probate process as well.
For example, you can designate a charity to receive a certain percentage of your retirement plan assets, Bleustein notes. A well-designed plan can help avoid disputes that may arise and can keep details about your family's financial matters private. Your estate plan should include provisions for children, including the appointment of a guardian for children under the age of 18 and the provision of those from a previous marriage, if you remarry, your assets may not be automatically passed on to them. You can start something up now and change it later, which is exactly how estate planning should be done.
