Your wealth may go to one of three places when you die — heirs, charity or the IRS. Are you sure yours will go to the parties you intend?
Estate planning is an important component of an executive’s comprehensive financial plan, but is often not given the attention it deserves. It sets the stage for a peaceful transition of wealth upon death, making things easier for your loved ones when you’re gone.
Proper estate planning is designed to safeguard your assets.
We work closely with you to design a custom estate plan and trust strategy. Then, we collaborate with attorneys who specialize in estate planning to draft your wills, trusts, powers of attorney and other legal documents.
We review the documents with you and suggest changes as necessary. Finally, we work to properly fund your trusts so that they achieve the desired result.
Additional Questions to Consider
- Have you taken the steps to mitigate the tax liabilities associated with Income in Respect of Decedent (IRD)?
- Have you adequately protected your assets from potential divorce, spendthrift heirs, and claims of creditors?
- Has everything been done to reduce taxes at the first spouse’s death? The second spouse’s death?
- Did you know that your will doesn’t control the disposition of many of your assets?
- Are your beneficiary designations consistent with the directives of your will?
- Do you understand the advantages and disadvantages of probate?
- Do you have up-to-date guardians, executors, and trustees named in your estate documents?
- Are you aware of the many tax efficient ways to give to the charities of your choice?
