Estate Planning Strategies to Lessen Burdens for Loved OnesPosted by articlespostsharing on March 10th, 2023 The strategies used are determined by the kind of personal belongings owned. Certain types of property can be gifted simply by filling out Elder Lawyer Queens, while others entail more advanced measures. A crucial aspect of estate planning is executing a last Will. This official document is needed to provide directives regarding estate settlement. Wills are needed regardless of whether the estate will pass through probate court or is protected by a trust. Making use of estate planning strategies offers numerous benefits. One advantage is the probate process can be avoided. Another is assets can be transferred to heirs in an expedient fashion. In order to gain the greatest benefits it is best to consult with a qualified attorney. Probate is the most common method for estate settlement. In fact, the only way to avoid the process is by transferring ownership of assets into a trust. With that said, one exception to the rule is when estates qualify for small estate exemption. This amount varies by state and requires probate administrators to present the decedent's last Will to the court. Along with executing a Will and Testament, individuals ought to prepare healthcare proxy and power of attorney forms. These documents are used to authorize another individual to handle medical and financial matters on your behalf. There is a variety of power of attorney documents and each one plays an important role in estate planning. General power of attorney authorizes personal representatives to handle a variety of duties and is the most commonly used form. Special and Limited power of attorney authorizes fewer acts and is established when agents only need to carryout specific acts. This type of POA can be used to let representatives perform certain duties, such as depositing funds into retirement accounts or transferring funds from investment accounts. It can also be used to allow a person to pay bills or withdraw money from a bank account. Medical power of attorney and healthcare proxies are used to grant authorization to a representative who can make decisions pertaining to medical procedures. Representatives are not involved in making healthcare decisions unless a medical doctor provides a written statement claiming an individual is incompetent to make decisions on their own. Individuals who are legal guardians of minor aged children or incapacitated adults should place estate planning at the top of their priority list. A last Will is required for arranging legal guardianship, as well as providing instructions about safeguarding inheritance assets until underage beneficiaries become adults. One of the most common ways to protect assets for minors is to setup a child trust fund. Most individuals prefer to work with a lawyer to ensure they select the right type of trust and fund it properly. A few of the more popular child trust funds include 529 plan education savings accounts, custodial accounts, and testamentary trusts. Trusts are an excellent choice for individuals wanting to reduce estate and inheritance taxes. They are also a good way to pass along inheritance cash to underage children. Since ownership of property is transferred to trusts, all assets that are placed in the trust are exempt from probate. The best way to protect belongings and pass along assets to loved ones is to engage in estate planning. Working with professionals will simplify the process and ensure everything is setup correctly. Like it? Share it!More by this author |