Estate Planning 101 (Part 3)

Key Points

• A Trust (as opposed to a Will) is designed to protect your assets and to transfer your wealth without letting the courts take over, and dramatically slow down the process.
• These days the estate tax threshold is so high, not many Americans need to worry about it.
• A Revocable Living Trust (as opposed to a Irrevocable Trust) allows a seamless transfer of assets to heirs, but still gives you control to make changes as you see fit.

Continue reading → What’s so great about a Revocable Living Trust?

Estate Planning 101 (Part 2)

Key Points

• Estate Planning sounds like a daunting endeavor, but it doesn’t need to be.
• Often what’s involved is simple steps, but wrapped in complicated jargon.
• Use this resource as a guide to understanding estate planning terminology.

Finance is often simple concepts and easy math wrapped around complicated lingo and terminology. The same goes for Estate Planing. This post will break down some of the most commonly used terms and phrases that you might encounter as you build and create your Estate Plan.

Continue reading → Making Sense of Estate Planning Terminology

Estate Planning 101 (Part 1)

Key Points

• Wills and Trusts are useful Estate Planning tools, but each serves a different purpose.
• A Will is useful for outlining your wishes, but the amount of protection it provides can be incomplete.
• A Revocable Living Trust (as opposed to a Will) can help ensure that your Estate avoids lengthy and costly probate measures.
• A Trust can administer assets for minor beneficiaries without court intervention, while also providing useful protection against creditors.

Continue reading → Wills and Trusts – How are they different?