When most individuals think of “Estate Planning” they think “Last Will and Testament” or perhaps a “Living Trust.” Estate planning covers, and should cover, so much more. An estate plan, when properly prepared, should give an individual the comfort of knowing if something should happen to them, whether it is incapacity or death, the estate plan will provide the protections they need.

A properly prepared estate plan can:

• Protect individuals during life and at death
• Provide privacy during life and at death
• Minimize administrative and court costs during life and at death
• Maintain family harmony
• Minimize estate and gift taxes
• Protect assets for the next generation
• Provide a charitable legacy
• Ensure assets benefit the loved ones the individual intends and not the heirs determined at law
• And more

Estate planning should be focused on your objectives and creating a plan to satisfy those objectives. For me, every estate plan begins with an understanding of the assets involved, how they are titled and an approximate value. For a free PDF Asset Worksheet  click here. 

If you have questions as you complete the worksheet don’t hesitate to contact me and I will be happy to help you through the process.

After I have an understanding of the assets involved, the next phase is to sit with you and have a discussion. I find the best way to learn your objectives is to have a conversation, listen, and ask questions. Through this initial meeting my goals are to understand what your objectives are in preparing an estate plan.