Estate planning is an important part of life planning, regardless of age or wealth. It is essential to ensure that funds are distributed the way you want and to protect your loved ones from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An estate plan designates the right people to take care of your children and even you if you are disabled, and it helps to avoid taxes and legal onslaught. Estate planning is about providing your family with protection and making sure they get the right care in case something happens to you.
It is important to transfer assets to heirs with a view to creating as little tax burden as possible for them. A will is a vital part of an estate plan, and it allows you to designate how children under 18 are cared for and what items of their estate they will inherit when they reach the age of majority. The probate court appoints a personal representative, or executor, of your estate, who is entitled to receive about five percent of your assets as an administrative fee. The lawyer hired by this executor also receives at least the same percentage for his lawyer's fees.
Married couples can even avoid estate taxes altogether through AB trusts, ABC trusts, or revocable living trusts. A comprehensive estate plan can help you feel more secure about the future, knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of and that the legacy you leave behind is what you want. Your estate includes all the things you own, such as your family home, a second vacation home, stock portfolios, real estate investments, and even your most prized possessions. Wealth tax removes the tax from the estate before it is divided and distributed to beneficiaries.
An estate plan is a set of legal documents that sets out how you want your assets to be distributed when you die, and how you want people to handle financial and health decisions if you can't do it yourself during your lifetime. Smart estate planning helps protect families with young children and helps their heirs avoid overpaying taxes. If you die without a will, the courts will decide who gets your assets. If you have potential problems with creditors or work in an industry that is often subject to litigation (such as the medical industry or owners of commercial or residential real estate), there are several vehicles (such as a partnership or trust) available to isolate your assets from future creditors.
As your wealth grows, estate planning becomes more complicated and the need for a professional increases. Creating a comprehensive estate plan to manage your assets and support your loved ones after your death is one of the most rewarding tasks you can undertake. By properly planning your estate, you will transfer your assets to your heirs with the lowest possible tax burden, making the process easier and less costly for them. Here are five of the most valuable reasons why people decide to meet with an estate planning lawyer and create an estate plan:
- It allows you to decide who receives your property at the time of death.
- It avoids time and costs associated with legal proceedings.
- It helps protect families with young children.
- It helps heirs avoid overpaying taxes.
- It provides protection from creditors.
It ensures that funds are legalized the way you want and that your loved ones get the right care in case something happens to you. Smart estate planning helps protect families with young children and helps their heirs avoid overpaying taxes.
