It’s not easy to think about what’s next for all the assets and items that will outlive you. Perhaps you’ve been deferring the creation of a solid plan because the idea makes you uncomfortable. Or perhaps, because you don’t think you have a lot of wealth and believe that an estate plan isn’t required.

You don’t need to have a billion-dollar fortune to establish an estate plan – your lifelong accumulated assets can serve as financial aid for your kin. At the end of the day, an estate plan is about helping your wishes stay intact and helping your family understand and execute those wishes. Not only can this provide peace of mind, but it can also keep your legacy intact for generations to come, providing one of the greatest, longest-lasting gifts you could possibly give. But you might be thinking, “What’s the difference between having and not having an estate plan?”

What Happens Without an Estate Plan

In the absence of a detailed strategy, your legacy could become a complex, time-consuming, and possibly expensive matter for your successors to handle.^[1] If you haven’t established specific arrangements, probate courts will dictate the allocation of your possessions. What does that mean? It means that there could be contentious, costly, and time-consuming debates about how exactly to split what you want to pass down to your heirs.^[1] Their methods of distribution might not be what you had in mind and could be settled in a manner that you think is unfair.^[1] To counter this possibility, estate plans help by allowing precise control over how your assets are disseminated.^[1] Not only do they tailor asset distribution according to your desires, but they also simplify proceedings so that those inheriting don’t have to endure prolonged court procedures deciding how everything is divided up amongst them.^[1]

Tax Benefits of Estate Planning

Another compelling reason to construct an estate plan is the tax-minimization benefits that come with proper planning. A well-crafted estate plan can potentially facilitate a distribution of your assets that lessens the amount of taxes your beneficiaries would be required to pay upon receiving their inheritance.^[1] It’s important to note that each circumstance varies, and this isn’t always the case. However, in certain financial scenarios, an effective estate plan could allow you to strategically lower the tax obligation imposed on the inheritors of your wealth.^[1]

Numerous elements contribute to financial planning, with estate planning being a single component within the broader fiscal landscape and your unique financial circumstances. If you’re in search of guidance to navigate your financial path, think about contacting one of our financial professionals for a complimentary evaluation of your financial situation.