Estate Planning
Make Your Wishes Known and Understood
Preparing your estate plan is an important matter because it directs the control of your estate after your death. It does not transfer any of your rights to the property while you are alive.
As you begin this process it's good to know that the end result will be a plan for the protection of your family and the distribution of your assets according to your wishes. It is equally important to be able to express the important values of your life through your will. You do that by distributing your assets in ways that provide ongoing support to the people and entities important to you.
What is an estate plan?
An estate plan is your way, in writing, of directing how your assets are to be distributed after your death.
Preparing your estate plan is an important matter because it directs the control of your estate after your death. It does not transfer any of your rights to the property while you are alive.
As you begin this process it's good to know that the end result will be a plan for the protection of your family and the distribution of your assets according to your wishes. It is equally important to be able to express the important values of your life through your will. You do that by distributing your assets in ways that provide ongoing support to the people and entities important to you.
What is an estate plan?
An estate plan is your way, in writing, of directing how your assets are to be distributed after your death.
Your Plan Includes:
- Your Will
- Beneficiary Designation
- Trusts
Your accumulated assets can include:
- Your home
- Personal belongings
- Investments
- Stock options
- Other compensation
You can also use your estate plan to:
- Name guardians for your minor children
- Choose a personal representative
- Name an individual, bank or trust to manage and invest your estate
- Create trusts of the ongoing support of your spouse, children or other people or organizations important to you
- Avoid misunderstandings among your heirs about your wishes
Making Your Estate Plan Can Be a Simple Process
Think about what you want to accomplish.
Talk to your family and trusted advisors about your wishes for yourself and your loved ones.
Complete this Estate Plan Workbook and take it to your attorney.
Keep your completed Estate Plan in a secure place.
Review it every three to five years or when key circumstances in your life change.
Remember this Workbook is designed as a planning resource; it is not a legal document. Rather it is an excellent tool to take to your attorney to expedite the process of making your Estate Plan.
Think about what you want to accomplish.
Talk to your family and trusted advisors about your wishes for yourself and your loved ones.
Complete this Estate Plan Workbook and take it to your attorney.
Keep your completed Estate Plan in a secure place.
Review it every three to five years or when key circumstances in your life change.
Remember this Workbook is designed as a planning resource; it is not a legal document. Rather it is an excellent tool to take to your attorney to expedite the process of making your Estate Plan.