- LOSS OF CAPACITY. What if you become incompetent and unable to manage your own affairs? Without a plan, the court will select the person who manages your affairs. With a plan, you pick that person through a power of attorney.
- MINOR CHILDREN. Who will raise your children if you die? Without a plan, a court will make that decision. With a plan, you are able to nominate the guardian of your choice.
- DYING WITHOUT A WILL. Who will inherit your assets? Without a plan, your assets pass to your heirs according to your state’s laws of intestacy. Your family members will receive your assets without benefit of your direction or of trust protection. With a plan, you decide who gets your assets and when and how they receive them.
- BLENDED FAMILIES. What if your family is the result of multiple marriages? Without a plan, children from different marriages may not be treated as you would wish. With a plan, you determine what goes to your current spouse and to the children from a prior marriage.
- CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. Without a plan, a child with special needs risks being disqualified from receiving Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income benefits and may have to use his inheritance to pay for care. With a plan, you can set up a Supplemental Needs Trust which will allow the child to remain eligible for government benefits while using trust assets to pay for non-covered expenses.
- KEEPING ASSETS IN THE FAMILY. Would you prefer that your assets stay in your own family? Without a plan, your child’s spouse may wind up with your money if your child passes away prematurely. If your child divorces his current spouse, half of your assets could go to the spouse. With a plan, you can set up a trust that ensures that your assets will stay in your family and pass to whomever you wish.
- FINANCIAL SECURITY. Will your spouse and children be able to survive financially? Without a plan and the income replacement provided by life insurance, your family may be unable to maintain its current living standard. With a plan, life insurance can mean that your family will enjoy financial security.
- RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. Do you have an IRA or similar retirement account? Without a plan, your designated beneficiary for the retirement account funds may not reflect your current wishes and may result in burdensome tax consequences for your heirs. With a plan, you can choose the optimal beneficiary.
- BUSINESS OWNERSHIP. Do you own a business? Without a plan, you do not name the successor, thereby risking that your family could lose control of the business. With a plan, you choose who will own and control the business after you are gone.
- AVOIDING PROBATE. Without a plan, your estate may be subject to delays and excess fees, and your assets will be a matter of public record. With a plan, you can structure avoidance of probate.
Consult your estate planning attorney for further information.