Effective Estate Planning requires attention to a number of important details. The following checklist will get you started developing an estate management plan. 

Consult with your professional adviser after reviewing the following questions.

1. Do you have a will?

A will enables you to specify who you want to inherit your property and other assets. A will also enables you to name a guardian for your minor children.

2. Do you have healthcare documents in place?

Healthcare documents spell out your wishes for health care if you become unable to make medical decisions for yourself. They also authorize a person to make decisions on your behalf if that should prove necessary. These documents may include a living will, a power of attorney agreement and a durable power of attorney agreement for healthcare.

The different in a will and a living trust

3. Do you have financial documents in place?

Certain financial documents can outline your financial wishes. If you become unable to make decisions for yourself, these financial documents can be structured to empower a person to make decisions on your behalf. These documents may include joint ownership, durable power of attorney and living trusts.

4. Have you filed beneficiary forms?

In some cases, naming a beneficiary for bank accounts and retirement plans makes these accounts “payable on death” to your beneficiaries. In other cases, you will need to fill out a “Payable on Death” form.

5. Do you have the right amount and type of life insurance?

When was the last time you assessed your life insurance coverage? Have you compared the life insurance benefit with your financial obligations?

6. Have you taken steps to manage your federal estate tax?

If you have more than $11.2 million in assets ($22.4 million for a married couple), you may want to consider taking steps to manage federal estate tax which will be due at the second spouse’s death.

7. Have You Taken Steps to Protect Your Business?

Do you have a succession plan? If you own a business with others, you may also want to consider a buyout agreement.

8. Letter of Instruction?

A letter of instruction is a non-legal document that outlines your wishes. A strong, well-written letter may save your heirs time, effort and expense as they administer your estate.

9. Will Your Heirs Be Able to Locate Your Critical Documents?

Your heirs will need access to the specific documents you have created to manage your estate. These documents may include:

  • Your will
  • Trust documents
  • Life insurance policies 
  • Deeds to any real estate, and certificates for stocks, bonds and annuities
  • Information on your bank accounts, mutual funds and safe deposit boxes
  • Information on your retirement plans, 401(k) accounts or IRAs
  • Information on any debts you have: credit cards, mortgages and loans, utilities and unpaid taxes

Estate taxes make up a small amount of federal revenue

Note: Power of attorney laws can vary from state to state. An estate strategy that includes trusts may involve a complex web of tax rules and regulations. Consider working with a knowledgeable estate management professional before implementing such strategies. 

Our expert estate planning team is here to help. Call us at 434.296.2156 or email us at info@hwllp.cpa.

 

 

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Disclaimer of Liability
Our firm provides the information in this article for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal or other competent advisors. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional advisor who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this blog are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided “as is,” with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

 

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