Your Estate Planning Needs

When assisting clients with their estate planning, a primary goal is to educate clients about the
possibilities available to achieve their goals and objectives in an effective manner. Part of this
education involves explaining the legalities of certain documents, and how different documents work
together to effectively provide for the protection of a client’s entire estate, and the
ultimate distribution of assets.

As an example, trusts used to be beneficial for many people in past years, when the federal estate
exemption was below $1 million. Now that this exemption is well over $5 million for individuals (and
over $9 million for couples), trusts are often not needed by most people purely for tax purposes.
Trusts may, however, still be needed to effectuate other goals, such as the distribution of assets or
money over time.

Similarly, Living Wills and Healthcare Powers of Attorney are important for an estate plan. In
particular, Healthcare Powers of Attorney will normally help avoid the much more expensive costs of
seeking guardianship if you suffer a medical event and can no longer communicate your wishes
concerning your care.

Help Clients Understand and Document Their Healthcare and Estate Distribution Wishes, and Protect
their Loved Ones from Conflict

IHaving the right estate plan not only will ensure that your assets are transferred as you
wish, but there will also be another big benefit – avoiding the conflict and difficult decisions that
can arise if there is fighting over assets (when no will is made), or determining what healthcare
should be provided (when a living will has not been executed).

I would invite you to call me so that I can help you create the estate plan that is best for you
and your loved ones.