Estate plans are as much for you as they are for your loved ones. Without a plan in place, your family may be required to make life-and-death decisions, and assets may go to unintended relatives. Fortunately, for most families, estate planning isn’t complicated.
Provide instructions for who inherits your belongings. Assets will still need to go through probate.
Trusts allow property to transfer directly to beneficiaries without probate. Specialty trusts can maintain eligibility for government programs or create spendthrift protections.
Health care directives and powers of attorney keep your family from having to make life-and-death decisions, and let trusted individuals make financial decisions on your behalf.
RReview the beneficiaries named on all retirement accounts and life insurance policies. Do not leave beneficiary information blank.
Evaluate your family's life insurance needs. If you are a business owner, life insurance is critical to allow your company to continue operations.