Even though planning your estate isn’t an enjoyable job, it’s necessary so that you can efficiently and successfully transfer all of your assets to those you leave behind. With a bit of careful planning, your heirs can avoid having to pay estate taxes and federal taxes on your assets. As well, a well-planned estate avoids confusion for your loved ones.
Still, with all the advantages of estate planning, many people make many mistakes in the process. The most common mistake in estate planning is not getting around to doing it at all. Make sure that you take the time to plan at least the financial portion of your estate so that you leave your loved ones behind with some amount of security. The following seven mistakes often put families into great difficulty after a loved one’s passing.
- Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that estate planning is just for the rich. This is completely false as planning your estate is essential for anyone with any assets to leave behind. Many people don’t realize that their estate is as large as it is, especially when they fail to consider the assets from their homes.
- Remember to update your will and to review it at least once every two years. Factors that can change information about your beneficiaries include deaths, divorce, birth, and adoption. As your family structure changes, so do the change in your assets and who you want to leave them to. To obtain a sample will by state visit, https://eforms.com/wills/.
- Don’t assume that taxes paid on your assets are set in stone. Talk to your financial planner about ways that your beneficiaries can avoid paying taxes on your assets. There are several strategies for tax planning so that you can minimize taxes or avoid them altogether. Here is when you need to seek out the assistance of a fee-only Registered Financial Consultant.
- All of your financial papers should be in order so that it’s easy for someone to find them. Ensure that one of your loved ones has information on where to find the papers necessary for planning after your death. It is wise to have electronic and physical copies of these important documents and keep them up to date to avoid any confusion after your death.
- Don’t leave everything to your partner. When you leave all of your assets to your spouse, you are sacrificing their portion of the benefit. You’ll get an estate tax credit but forfeit part of this if your spouse is your only beneficiary. As a married couple, you are entitled to pass everything to your spouse tax-free and for more on estate taxes visit, https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estate-tax.
- Ensure that your children are well planned for. Many people take a lot of time deciding what to do with their assets and forget that they need to appoint guardianship for their children. There are many details to consider when it comes to guardianship. For some more useful information on appointing a guardian visit, https://www.estateplanning.com/naming-a-guardian-for-your-child.
- If you don’t have a financial advisor, get one. Financial Planners and Advisors are trained intimately in these matters and can provide asset protection well above their charges. If you need help selecting the right financial advisor, get the Financial Advisor Report. If possible, seek out a fee-only fiduciary Registered Financial Consultant or another qualified Financial Advisor.
The above mistakes are common when people are planning their estate. Take the time to plan for your death even though you think you have years before it becomes an issue. The key to successful estate planning is being prepared.
If you have questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to me directly. As a fee-only fiduciary Registered Financial Consultant based in Nashville, Tennesse, I can assist you no matter where you are located.
