Estate Planning

Simply What the Client Needs.

By Jennifer Sawday

Most clients ask for a simple will or trust.  They never ask for a complex will or trust.

So, of course, most estate planning attorneys do prepare these simple wills and trusts for their clients. They are exactly the estate planning documents that their clients need based on their circumstances, future situations and wishes.  It is simply what the client needs.

For 2008:
1. Review your existing estate plan

2. Check your beneficiary designations for all of your financial products (retirement accounts, life insurance policies, annuities, bank/brokerage accounts) to ensure they are up to date

3. If you have a trust, make sure all of your important assets as advised by your attorney are transferred into your trust (double check newly acquired assets and real property holdings)

4. Work with your attorney to update your estate plan, beneficiary designations and asset transfers accordingly

5. If you don't have an estate plan in place, make 2008 the year it gets done

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Estate Planning, Probate and Trusts involve complex areas of law. Individual circumstances must be considered before any advice can be given.  The general information above is not to be construed as legal advice, which can only be given after consideration of the unique facts of each matter. Please seek the advice or counsel of your attorney, financial advisor or CPA as it may be appropriate.

Full post as published by Estate Planning Practice Blog on December 21, 2007 (boomark / email).