ESTATE PLANNING

 

Your estate is important – regardless of its size. It’s the result of your life’s work. But your work isn’t done yet.

Your loved ones are important, too. Your love for them is real, and their needs are real too. Show them how much you care by sparing them unnecessary headaches and heartaches after you’re gone. Create a comprehensive estate plan – today.

 

Your Comprehensive Estate Planning Should Include…

A comprehensive estate plan is more than a will. To be sure, it’s important to clarify what you’d like to leave to whom. But your estate plan should do more. A comprehensive plan will:

  • Avoid the costs, delays and publicity that occurs when your will enters probate. (And be aware that if you own property in multiple states, your death will incur multiple probates!)
  • Provide extensive instructions should you become incapacitated.
  • Prevent court control of your assets should you become incapacitated.
  • Bring all of your assets together under one plan.
  • Provide quicker distribution of your assets to your beneficiaries.
  • Possibly reduce or eliminate estate taxes for married couples.
  • Prevent court control of minors’ inheritances.
  • Protect dependents with special needs.
  • Prevent your joint ownership from unintentionally disinheriting a loved one.
  • Provide maximum privacy from disgruntled relatives or nosy acquaintances.
  • Be difficult to contest.
  • Be changeable or cancellable at any time.
  • Bring you and your loved ones peace of mind.

We’ve walked many, many clients through the estate planning process. For the vast majority, we recommend the Revocable Living Trust as the cornerstone for their estate plans. With a living trust, you retain complete control of your assets during your lifetime. You address what should happen if you’re incapacitated. And you allow your loved ones, upon your death, to receive your assets and gifts without the difficulties of probate.

Together, let’s determine the best approach to protecting your estate and providing for your family. Contact our office today to arrange your free consultation.