Estate Planning’s Three Reasons Why

Estate Planning’s Three Reasons Why

An estate plan is your opportunity to indicate how you want your property, belongings, and financial assets distributed after you die. Without a written plan, you leave these personal choices up to state law and probate courts.

 

An estate plan is more than just a will

  • Designates durable powers of attorney to watch over and handle your medical and financial decisions
  • Outlines medical directives should you be unable to voice your desires
  • Clearly outlines the beneficiaries from your insurance policies, annuities, retirement accounts, etc.

 

An estate plan keeps you in control and your assets moving

  • If the state assigns your executor, your assets are frozen until all matters are reviewed, which could take months to years
  • Probate court and the associated processes aren’t free, and expenses will most likely be covered out of your estate

 

If you’re wealthy, taxes will need to be paid

  • Beyond federal estate taxes that don’t begin until you have assets valued over $12.06 million (up from $11.7 million in 2021), state estate and inheritance taxes could take a chunk of your estate
  • If you have a business, a high-value life insurance policy, or substantial property, come 2026, you’ll face a $5.49 million/person federal estate tax exemption
  • Setting up trusts and irrevocable gift accounts can lower your estate value and keep governments from taking a share of your estate

 

Finally, an estate plan can protect you even before you die because it includes the durable power of attorney and healthcare proxy. Without these living will components, your directives become muddy and make it difficult for decisions to be made on your behalf. Worst case: the court appoints someone you don’t know to make decisions on your behalf.

Adapted from Business Insider3
Securities offered through SCF Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC 155 E. Shaw Ave. Suite 102, Fresno, CA 93710 | (800) 955-2517 | Fax (559) 456- 6109. SCF Securities, Inc. and Creative Financial Strategies LLC are independently owned and operated. www.scfsecurities.com Note: Securities offered through SCF Securities Inc., Investment Advisory Services offered through SCF Investment Advisors, Inc.This document is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. One should consult a legal or tax professional regarding their own personal situation. Any comments regarding safe and secure investments and guaranteed income streams refer only to fixed insurance products offered by an insurance company. They do not refer in any way to securities or investment advisory products. Insurance policy applications are vetted through an underwriting process set forth by the issuing insurance company. Some applications may not be accepted based upon adverse underwriting results. Death benefit payouts are based upon the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. The firm providing this document is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or any other government entity.
3 https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/why-is-estate-planning-important

 

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