Don’t have a will or any other estate plan? You’re not alone. According to a 2015 survey by Rocket Lawyer, 64 percent of Americans don’t have a will.1 Should those individuals pass away without taking action, their estate would be considered intestate. That means the local probate court would make all decisions regarding their assets and how they are distributed to loved ones. Far too many people think that estate planning is only for individuals with substantial assets or complex financial challenges. However, that assumption is usually incorrect. Even those with a fairly straightforward estate and modest assets can benefit from a will and other estate planning documents. In fact, a will is a fairly simple tool to develop and implement. Given how many risks a will can minimize, there are few reasons not to have one. Still not convinced? Review the threats below. If you don’t have a will or other planning documents, you may be unnecessarily exposing yourself to these risks.
Asset Distribution The main purpose of a will is to provide guidance to the courts and your family about your wishes regarding your estate. The will states who should receive which assets, as well as which individuals should be left out of any inheritance. Without a will, the court will likely pass your assets on to your closest relatives, usually a spouse and children. However, even that can be complicated. Assume you are married but have children from a previous relationship. If the court gives all your assets to your spouse, those other children may be left out. There are other complications, too. Perhaps you have a live-in boyfriend or girlfriend who isn’t your spouse. You’d like to include him or her in your estate, but they could be left out if you die intestate. Maybe you have a complicated relationship with a child and don’t trust them with a large inheritance. Intestacy decisions usually don’t consider those kinds of factors. Wills, trusts and other planning tools can help you minimize these risks. Probate Challenges Another issue that arises after a person’s death is the probate process. Probate is the legal process for settling an estate. It involves paying debts, filing final tax returns, notifying potential heirs and even liquidating assets. Depending on the complexity of the estate, probate can take months, and it can generate substantial administrative and legal costs. A will doesn’t help your estate avoid probate, but a trust does. Even a fairly simple trust can minimize the impact of probate on the assets you place inside the entity. You can help your heirs get their inheritance quickly and without substantial costs by doing some simple planning. End-of-Life Care Estate planning isn’t just for what happens after you die. It also helps manage your finances and your health care in the final days, weeks or months of your life. Many people become incapacitated in their final years. That means they lose the ability to make or communicate their own decisions, usually because of Alzheimer’s, strokes or other issues. You can use planning tools like a living will or a power of attorney to provide your family and health care providers with instructions. That way, you’ll get the care you want and your estate will remain intact for your heirs. Don’t have an estate plan? Or are you worried that your current plan isn’t sufficient for your needs? Let’s talk about it. Contact us at J. Harris Financial. We can help you analyze your needs and develop an appropriate plan. Let’s connect soon. 1http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2015/07/11/estate-plan-will/71270548/ This information is designed to provide a general overview with regard to the subject matter covered and is not state specific. The authors, publisher and host are not providing legal, accounting or specific advice for your situation. By providing your information, you give consent to be contacted about the possible sale of an insurance or annuity product. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting insurance professional. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change at any time. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, presenting insurance professional makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. 16164 - 2016/10/18
6 Comments
5/23/2019 08:51:26 am
It makes sense that setting up a will or trust could minimize complications with new partners or children with limited accountability. I've always wondered if and how these types of situations can be accounted for in estate planning. It's definitely something I will have to look into more!
Reply
9/17/2019 02:55:10 pm
I found it interesting when you said that estate planning helps manage your finances and your health care in the final days, weeks or months of your life. My dad talked to us about what he would like for us to do when he dies. I will let him know that estate planning might be the right way to make sure that his properties are divided as the way he wants.
Reply
10/11/2019 11:11:52 am
I have been thinking about estate planning for a long time now, and I was curious about what would happen without one. I never knew that it can actually help with asset distribution! It would be nice to legally be able to say what goes to who.
Reply
2/4/2020 12:39:08 pm
I didn't realize that everyone needs estate planning, whether you have complex finances or not. In a few years, I'll be retiring. I'm going to have to make an estate plan.
Reply
2/26/2020 09:16:32 am
It's good to know that your assets could be distributed in a way that you don't want if you don't have an estate plan. My sister has been telling me about how she wants to make sure that her assets are handled properly when she passes. I'll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for professionals who can help her with this.
Reply
1/19/2021 06:44:49 am
I find it amazing to learn that having an estate plan allows you to control what happens to your assets if ever you become incapacitated. I should relay this to my friend, whose uncle is looking for something like this. This way, his uncle would feel at ease that his assets are in good hands.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |