Chris West, CPA, PFS Estate planning is an essential aspect of any personal finance journey, involving the proactive determination of how your assets will be distributed and managed after your passing. It also provides an opportunity to specify the care arrangements for minor children. Whether you know it
You’ve likely put a great deal of time, effort and expense into implementing an estate plan that meets your goals. But unless your loved ones know that these documents exist — and how to find and access them — your well-laid plans can be derailed. Following are some tips on
The need for a will as a key component of your estate plan may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised by the number of people — even affluent individuals — who don’t have one. In the case of the legendary “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, she had more than one,
Don't overlook foreign assets when planning your estate. If you own real estate outside the U.S., you should address the assets in your estate plan. But watch out for double taxation. There's that risk if the assets are subject to estate, inheritance or other death taxes in the country where
For many people, the disposition of a family home is an emotionally charged estate planning issue. And emotions may run even higher with vacation homes, which often evoke even fonder memories. So, it’s important to address your vacation home carefully in your estate plan. Keeping the Peace Before you do
If you’ve received, or will soon receive, a significant inheritance, it may be tempting to view it as “found money” that can be spent freely. But unless your current financial plan ensures that you’ll comfortably reach all your goals, it’s a good idea to have a plan of action for
No matter how diligently you prepare, your estate plan can quickly be derailed if you or a loved one requires long-term home health care or an extended stay at an assisted living facility or nursing home. Long-term care (LTC) expenses aren’t covered by traditional health insurance policies or Medicare. So
No matter how much effort you’ve invested in crafting an estate plan, your will, trusts and other official documents may not be enough. Consider also drafting a “road map.” Essentially, it’s an informal letter that guides your family in executing your plan according to your wishes. What to Address A
Family-owned businesses face distinctive challenges when it comes to succession planning. For example, it’s important to address the distinction between ownership succession and management succession. When a nonfamily business is sold to a third party, ownership and management succession typically happen simultaneously. However, in the context of a family business,
A smart estate plan should leave no doubt as to your intentions. Writing a letter of instruction can go a long way toward clearly communicating all of your thoughts and wishes. Even though the letter, unlike a valid will, isn’t legally binding, it can be valuable to your surviving family
