It is natural to think about estate planning when you are getting older. You might also think that it’s easy to put it off and that estate planning isn’t something I need to worry about right now.
But estate law can be complicated, and if you don’t plan for what will happen when you die, it could lead to many problems for your family. The good news is that there are many tools available to help you plan for your future.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss five estate planning tools to help you plan for your future and ensure that everything goes according to plan before you know it.
Let’s take a look at these tools.
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Wills
Have you had a last will and testament? When’s the last time you checked at it? It is critical to have an up-to-date will. Your will is a legislative document that describes when, how, and to whom your possessions will be transferred when you die. An attorney usually drafts it. Your will doesn’t have to be elaborate, but it should address several issues.
- Make a list of who will inherit your assets, including particular bequests.
- You should appoint a guardian of your child.
- Name your executor, who would be in charge of your estate’s management and administration.
- Decide which assets go to heirs right now and which go to trusts or even other funds to be dispersed later.
- List any charities or organizations to which you would like to donate.
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Living will
A living will, also known as an advanced directive, specifies how you want to be treated if you become incapacitated. This will serve as a guide for your household and healthcare staff as they carry out your requests. Estate law firm help you to draw up a living will.
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Trusts
You might even need to use a trust to fulfil specialized or more sophisticated financial goals. A trust is a legal agreement that governs the distribution of an item, such as land or money. The asset could be moved to a trust for estate planning and management, which further “owns” the property or ultimate delivery to beneficiaries. You can create trust and transfer the assets throughout your lifespan or through your will. Estate planning services are available to help you create a trust.
You can do the following with the help of several trusts:
- Distribute property to your heirs discreetly, avoiding the costs and procedures associated with probate
- Ensure that a spouse, small kid, elderly parent, and someone with specific needs have a steady source of income
- Estate taxes should be reduced
- Contribute to a favourite charity
- Life insurance
No other planning instrument can do what life insurance does. It gives you access to tax-free money right away. Your relatives can use this money to sustain their standard of living, pay taxes, and follow your estate distribution preferences.
- Powers of attorney
There are different kinds of powers of attorney.
Financial power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to make financial choices and handle your assets. They specify who will take care of your affairs if you become disabled.
Mental wellbeing powers of attorney make the health-care and treatment choices on your behalf.
The Bottom Line
Estate planning is essential for everyone, but it’s also a complicated process that can be difficult to understand. Having estate planning tools in place will help you protect your family and keep them safe if anything happens to you.
More Information
Council of Probate Court Judges of Georgia
