Sunday, September 5, 2021

Estate and Tax Planning: Where to Get Started

Estate planning isn't just for the super-rich. Almost everyone has an estate, whether large or small. Your estate includes personal items such as cars, property, jewelry, bank accounts, and investments

But estate and tax planning are more than just protecting your assets. It's about preparing for illness, disability, passing on, and planning for your heir's future.

Tax and estate planning can be a complicated road to travel, and it can be daunting knowing where to start. Here are a few tips on where to get started with estate and tax planning.

What is Estate Planning?


Estate planning is making a plan in advance and taking steps by naming the people, charities, or organizations you want to receive your assets after you die. Estate planning makes it easier for your wishes to be carried out at a later date.

What is Tax Planning?


Tax planning involves taking a hard look at your financial situation to reduce your tax liability. Tax planning is crucial to estate planning because your taxes can have a significant impact on how much you pass to your heirs after you die.



There are three related federal transfer taxes: gift tax, generation-skipping tax, and estate tax. Depending on the value of your estate, all of these taxes can affect the amount you leave your beneficiaries. You must use professional tax planning to ensure your beneficiaries are well cared for after you pass on.

Getting Started With Estate and Tax Planning


Your estate planning will change as your needs, financial situation, and family change. From the time you become a legal adult, start working, accumulating assets and investments, you should begin your estate and tax planning. Use these steps to get started.

Up-to-date Beneficiary Designations


Even if you're single and early in your career, you need to designate a beneficiary for your 401(k) and life insurance policy. Update your beneficiaries as your life changes and your family grows.

Health Care Proxy


A health care proxy allows someone to make health care decisions on your behalf if you can't do so yourself.




A Living Will


A living will allows you to leave instructions for the end-of-life treatment, such as non-resuscitation or life-sustaining treatment.

Durable Power of Attorney


A durable power of attorney allows someone else to make financial decisions on your behalf.

A Will


If you're early in your career and have no assets, you may not need a will, but a will is crucial when you own a home or other properties where you don't have a beneficiary named. Finding the right will lawyer who understands your particular issues can put you in a good place so you won't be stressed or worried.

Guardian for Your Children


It's essential to your estate planning to appoint a guardian for your children if both parents die or if you're a single parent with sole custody.

It's never too early or too late to begin estate and tax planning. Using an attorney who offers innovative solutions for tax and estate planning is the best way to secure your family's future after you pass on.



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