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Good Reasons to Plan Your Estate (Part One)
- Makes sure your estate goes to whom you want, when you want, the way you want. Most estate plans leave the assets to the next generation outright (i.e., in their hands) in equal shares. However, with a little bit of thought on your part, and some guidance from an experienced elder law estate planning attorney, you may dramatically improve the way your estate is ultimately distributed. For example, you may delay large bequests until children or grandchildren are older or give it to them in stages so that they have the chance to make some mistakes with the money without jeopardizing the whole inheritance. Similarly, you may place conditions on receipt of money such as "only upon graduation with a bachelor's degree" or "only to be used to purchase an annuity to provide a lifetime income for the beneficiary". The possibilities, of course, are endless.
- Allows you to give back to the people and places that have helped you. Again, most people leave their assets to their children in equal shares. Yet time and again we see children who really don't need the money or, unfortunately, don't deserve it. Even when they do need and deserve it, there is a place for remembering those people and institutions who have helped make you what you are today.
- It proves stewardship by showing your family that you cared enough to plan for them. When you put time, thought and effort into planning your affairs it sends a powerful message to your loved ones. You are saying that you handled the matter with care and diligence. This will reflect itself in how the money is received, invested and spent by your heirs.
- Saves your heirs legal fees, taxes and time in settling your affairs. Everyone understands and wants to save fees and taxes, but what about saving time? By planning ahead with trusts instead of wills, you may abbreviate the settlement process, thus aiding the grieving process by allowing families to heal more quickly and get on with their lives. In addition, while assets are tied up in an estate proceeding, valuable investment opportunities may be lost or additional expenses incurred, such as having to maintain a home.
