Estate Planning

The collection of pparation tasks that serve to manage an inpidual's asset base in the event of their incapacitation or death, including the bequest of assets to heirs and the settlement of estate taxes. Most estate plans are set up with the help of an attorney experienced in estate law.

Some of the major estate planning tasks include:

- Creating a will

- Limiting estate taxes by setting up trust accounts in the name of beneficiaries

- Establishing a guardian for living dependents

- Naming an executor of the estate to oversee the terms of the will

- Creating/updating beneficiaries on plans such as life insurance, IRAs and 401(k)s

- Setting up funeral arrangements

- Establishing annual gifting to reduce the taxable estate

- Setting up durable power of attorney (POA) to direct other assets and investments

Estate planning is an ongoing process and should be started as soon as one has any measurable asset base. As life progresses and goals shift, the estate plan should move to be in line with new goals. Lack of adequate estate planning can cause undue financial burdens to loved ones (estate taxes can run higher than 40%), so at the very least a will should be set up even if the taxable estate is not large.