There are several elements to an estate plan that are key to your family being taken care of and your financial goals. For our Peace of Mind Planning, I referred to it as “What Tools Do You Have in Your Personal Tool Shed?”
The first step is simply to set up a free consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney. The attorney will guide you through the process. The key is simply to get started.
Each component of a plan is like a tool designed to accomplish a specified task.
Once you take an accurate inventory of assets such as investments, real estate, businesses, insurance policies, retirement accounts, you have a good idea where to start. Then you need to figure out whom you want to inherit your assets after you pass. It’s also a good idea to decide who you would want to handle your financial affairs if you were incapacitated, and who you would want making medical decisions for you.
After you know the answers to those questions, you can start on your estate plan. An estate plan, is effective while you are alive, when you pass away, and if you become medically unable to manage your financial affairs. Typically a plan has four major elements:
Over the past 30 years, the Law Offices of Christopher A. Benson has helped more than 800 clients prepare and utilize simple and effective planning techniques to protect them and their families in order to avoid probate, save estate taxes, save money and save added emotional burden that comes from long term illness and/or death of a family member. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation to find out how we can help you and your family.
About the Author
Chris served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity
Seattle/S. King County for 10 years and served as Vice President
of the organization during part of that time. Read More