Everyone has an Estate —because an estate is simply everything you own: a car, a house, a checking account. Most people will create a will before they die, but a will is just one part of estate planning.
Regardless of your level of wealth, you should have a plan in place so things won’t be difficult for your family if something happens to you. A well-structured estate plan will help protect your family’s finances while you’re alive and after you die.
Gifting
Many people give gifts to family members, charities, medical research, or educational institutions while they’re still alive in order to reduce their taxable estate. These are referred to as lifetime gifts. In addition to the tax benefits, lifetime gifts can help family members when they need the money the most—to pay for college, buy a home, or start a business. A lifetime gift is also a good way to gauge how well recipients might handle money in the future.
Income Tax Strategies
Taxes can have a huge impact on the growth of your personal wealth. That’s why tax planning is such an important part of both income and estate planning. Many financial professionals see income management and tax planning as the greatest challenge for high earners and business owners.
Special Needs
If you have a child with special needs, you’re probably worried about what will happen when you’re not around. Where will your child live, who will make sure he or she is happy, and who will pay for all the required services? This is where estate planning is really important. The best way to make sure your wishes are carried out is to set up a trust and assign a trustee