Do you think that estate planning is only for wealthy ones? You should be thinking again about it. Having no estate plan can drive confusion about end-of-life wishes. Other than that, it can even scale the level of emotional stress among family members.
Often some people presume that a will and estate plan are similar. An estate planning checklist is the best way to find directives for all assets, guardianship, trusts, and more. It also moves ahead a step then will and will be favorable to do it. To make it simpler, here are ten crucial tips to formulate the perfect estate plan like a professional.
Table of Contents
#1. Assemble a Team
Estate planning needs a team including the financial advisor, estate planning attorney, tax professional, and more. Overall, these combined aspects can map out with customized estate plans for you. Every person plays a vital role in the estate planning process. Their core objective is to facilitate asset distribution among people and organizations with as minimal confusion as possible.
#2. Document Your Wishes
To understand what estate planning is, you should be clear about the documentation process. The estate plan should be able to spell out what would happen with the probate assets and possession at your death. In case of no estate plan, the state is going to do the work for you. One needs to ensure that the following aspects are taken care of –
– One person should have the authority to make the health-related decision for you after you’re unable to do so.
– The financial power of attorney should be the person to make the right financial decisions.
– There should be a living will to speak about your treatment details if you’re unable to take the decisions on your own.
– The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) names individuals having access to healthcare information.
– The legacy planning should have last will as property beneficiaries and minor children guardians.
#3. Set Up Guardianship for Dependents
You need to name the guardian for looking after any dependents like a minor child or one with special needs. In case, your estate planning won’t include it, a judge will be appointed to take care of it.
Ensure you have talked with the chosen guardian to get his or her consent. However, remember that the guardian need not manage the left money for the child’s benefit. One other thing to consider is to avoid choosing the couple as co-guardians. It could get troubling when the couple decides to separate. Make sure to discuss such terms with the estate planning attorney to deal with certain circumstances.
#4. Consider Trusts
The trusts can be a reliable source to hold monetary aspects for heirs. You should be deciding what to put into the trust and who gets what out of the distribution. A corporate trustee can help in ensuring the perfect plan and execution of the monetary demands. However, you should be working with an attorney who is a specialist in dealing with the estate trust and planning.
#5. Plan for Federal and/or State Estate Taxes
In case your estate is subjected to federal taxes, make sure that they are generally paid within nine months of death. The concern can be that most of the estate is not in the cash. Simply put, a house should have an heir to sell it to others. Talk with estate planning tax professionals who can work with a financial advisor for planning and sorting efficient strategies. The planning and execution should be right for the circumstances.
#6. Avoid Probate
Probate is the legal process to verify the will through the courts. The process can be a public record and a matter of slow pace and high costs. As per the estate planning checklist, the assets need to pass the probate process. Find your attorney and discuss your expectations and concerns with them.
#7. Prepare for Long-Term Care
A financial advisor and legacy planning experts can prepare you for long-term care requirements while preserving all assets. Feel free to discuss your options and check what all plans can be put into place for the concerned health changes.
#8. Know More About Income
The Federal Estate tax is not the sole tax you should take care of. There will be IRD taxes (Income in Respect of a Decedent) for inheriting certain types of money. In case, the person dies without paying the income taxes, the beneficiaries need to pay income tax on that money.
#9. Keep Your Beneficiaries Updated
If you’ve any money with named beneficiaries in accounts, it is going to remain for the individuals. It is a surefire process even if the estate plan says otherwise.
#10. Don’t Ignore Digital Assets
The majority of people possess treasured photos and crucial documents available on social media channels as well as digital storage systems. These items may remain in additional security inaccessible to others.
The estate planning service providers can safeguard the deceased person’s passwords and laws to help in the situation. Include a digital fiduciary in the plan to provide the right access to digital information. Never forget to work along with the attorney to restrict the online presence.
Final Word
We hope the article has been able to clarify – what is estate planning. The process can be one of the most proactive and beneficial steps to follow in your lifetime. Further, the additional benefits are also going to be part of the legacy.