You understand the importance of estate planning, but sometimes it’s a question of where to start. No matter your net worth, you need a plan set in place that can help your heirs understand your final wishes and distribute your estate properly. As you prepare to discuss with your financial advisor, here are 7 few tips and considerations to keep in mind.

7 Tips for Estate Planning

Tip #1: Name an Executor

After your passing, you’ll want to have somebody in place who can execute your wishes. This person is aptly named an executor.

Many people choose a spouse, sibling, child or close friend as executor. In most cases, the job is fairly straightforward. Still, you might give special consideration to someone who is well organized and capable of handling financial matters. Someone who is respected by your heirs and a good communicator also may help make the process run smoothly.

Above all, an executor should be someone trustworthy, since this person will have a legal responsibility to manage your money, pay your debts (including taxes) and distribute your assets to your beneficiaries as stated in your will.

If your estate is large or you anticipate a significant amount of court time for your executor, you might think of naming a bank, lawyer or financial professional. These individuals will typically charge a fee, which would be paid by the estate. In some families, singling out one child or sibling as executor could be construed as favoritism, so naming an outside party may be a good alternative.

Tip #2: Designate Beneficiaries

If you have investment accounts, make sure that you designate a beneficiary. This is the person you want the assets to pass on to if something were to happen.

Similar to naming an executor, this process is fairly straightforward. It usually involves a family member, spouse, child, close relative or friend.

But, it differs from the executor in the sense that you can have more than one beneficiary for your investment accounts. For example, if you have 3 children and want to split it evenly between them, that is certainly possible, unlike with naming an executor.

Most investment account beneficiaries can be changed, or updated, quite easily by usually submitting a form.

Tip #3: Understand Estate Taxes

Tax planning should be an integral part of your estate planning strategy. You’ll want to work with a tax professional who can help you navigate state inheritance laws and federal estate taxes.

While we don’t do estate or tax planning in house, we often work closely with our client’s other professionals in order to maintain the highest level of service.

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act raised the federal estate tax significantly, making it easier for families to maintain their estate when transferring to loved ones. Estates with combined gross assets under $11,700,000 (for individuals) are not required to file an estate tax return.

Tip #4: Prepare Your Health Care Documents

Healthcare documents spell out your wishes for health care if you become unable to make medical decisions for yourself. They also authorize a person to make decisions on your behalf if that should prove necessary.

These documents may include:

Living will
Power of attorney agreement
Durable power of attorney agreement for healthcare

Tip #5: Assess Your Life Insurance Policy

When was the last time you assessed your life insurance coverage? Have you compared the life insurance benefit with your financial obligations? Keep in mind that several factors will affect the cost and availability of life insurance including age, health and the type and amount of insurance purchased.

Life insurance policies have expenses, including mortality and other charges. If a policy is surrendered prematurely, the policyholder also may pay surrender charges and have income tax implications. You should consider determining whether you are insurable before implementing a strategy involving life insurance. Any guarantees associated with a policy are dependent on the ability of the issuing insurance company to continue making claim payments.

Tip #6: Write a Letter of Intent

A letter of intent is a non-legal document that outlines your wishes. A strong, well-written letter may save your heirs time, effort and expense as they administer your estate. It acts as a message from the deceased and can include an array of information from providing organization and outlining last wishes, to detailing information and sending personal messages. Consider including instructions for your funeral arrangements and other details that are important to you.

Tip #7: Organize Your Documents

After your passing, you’ll want your heirs and executor to be able to easily obtain and access important documents.

These documents may include:

Your will
Trust documents
Life insurance policies
Deeds to any real estate, and certificates for stocks, bonds, annuities
Information on your financial accounts and safe deposit boxes
Information on your retirement plans
Information on any debts you have: credit cards, mortgages and loans

Listen, we get it, nobody wants to think about this kind of stuff. But we can’t stress enough how important it is to get your estate in line BEFORE something goes wrong.

We’ve seen, and worked through, too many messy estate situations. It is never easy for loved ones to handle, especially with all the emotions surrounding the situation. A little foresight and thoughtful planning can go a far way in terms of making things easier on your loved ones during a difficult time.

If you have any questions about how to start estate planning get in touch with us! We’d be more than happy to point you in the right direction.