When that extra bit of money from your tax refund lands in
your bank account, (kinda feels like Christmas, doesnt it?) it's easy to
start dreaming about all the ways you can use it. Financial experts may tell
you that it's a chance to pay off debts, tuck away savings for an emergency, or
add to your retirement savings. You, on the other hand, may want to splurge on
something special. However, there's an often-overlooked option that not only
provides immediate satisfaction but ensures long-term benefits for both you and
your loved ones: estate planning.Estate planning might sound like a complex and daunting
chore reserved for the wealthy, but it's actually a straightforward and crucial
process for everyone. In its most basic terms, estate planning involves making
a plan for what happens to your belongings and finances after you're gone, or
if you become incapacitated. Think of it as creating a roadmap for your loved
ones to follow, ensuring they're taken care of and know exactly how to handle
your estate according to your wishes. After all, someone will have to do
something with your stuff after youre gone, and if youre the one
who takes care of it while you can, you can save your loved ones a lot of pain.
And, make sure you are cared for in the way you want, by the people you want,
if you become incapacitated.And by the way, proper estate planning covers much more than
just money and personal belongings, but well delve into that in just a bit.Why You Need an Estate PlanNot only do you need a plan for what happens with your
finances and personal items after youre gone or become incapacitated, but you
also need an estate plan if any of the following are true:You care about the people in your life who will handle
things for you, if you cannot. First and foremost, estate planning isnt
something you just do for yourself, its truly an investment you make for the
people you love. If it feels daunting to you, imagine how they will feel left
with a big confusing mess when something happens to you. And, its one of those
things that you must get handled before you need it because by the time you
need it, its too late, and youve just left the people you love the most with
a big mess.Thats why we say that estate planning is about protecting
your family. It's about protecting their time, energy and attention, and
leaving them with a gift of love. Its a way of saying "I love you"
that goes beyond words, providing them with security and guidance during a
difficult time. By making your wishes clear, you can keep them out of court,
prevent potential conflicts and ensure your loved ones are supported exactly as
you intend.You want your wishes to be honored. With an estate
plan, you have the power to dictate exactly how you want to be cared for if you
are incapacitated, or who makes decisions for you if you cannot. If you would
not want to linger in a hospital bed for years like Terry Schiavo did before
her death, you must create a plan. Otherwise, the people you love could get
stuck in a court process fighting over your care. You also get to say who inherits your assets, from your home
and savings to sentimental items. Planning ensures there isnt any confusion
and guarantees that your possessions end up in the right hands. Planning also
makes it clear who should handle things after you are gone, and it makes it as
easy as possible for the people you choose. You want to save money and time (for yourself and your
family). Dealing with the court if you become incapacitated or when you die
is time-consuming, can be expensive and is totally public. Without a clear plan
in place, you or your family may face costly legal battles and time-consuming
administrative hurdles. Your careful planning now can save them from this
stress and financial strain, making the process as smooth as possible. In
addition, careful planning ensures that you save yourself money by avoiding
unnecessary costs if you are unable to care for yourself. You have minor children. If you have minor children,
consider who is home with them when you arent. Would that person know what to
do if you didnt make it home? Or would the authorities show up at your house
and have to take your children into the care of protective custody/strangers
while they figured it out? If the idea of this terrifies you like it
does most parents, you need an estate plan. Most parents of minor kids are overwhelmed with the demands
of everyday life and dont stop to think that estate planning applies to them.
A common misconception is that planning is only for older folks who know their
mortality is staring them in the face, and young parents think thats too far
off to warrant any consideration. Thats a mistake. Death happens to everyone
and incapacity can happen before it, no matter how old you are right now. Dont
leave your kids at risk.So now you know you need an estate plan but arent sure what
to do next. If you feel like the process seems daunting, dont worry. Taking
that first step is easier than you might think. Put Your Tax Refund To Work You might consider using your tax refund to do your estate
plan on your own or opt for a cheap online service. While these options can
seem cost-effective at first glance, they dont offer the comprehensive
coverage and personalized advice that your unique situation requires. Instead, investing your refund in working with a heart
centered, holistic attorney with a process in place for ensuring that your plan
works throughout your lifetime is a much wiser choice. We will get to know you,
your family dynamics, and your assets, and then help you choose the right plan
for you both now, and into the future. Creating a will or a trust isnt a one
and done thing you do, and then put it on a shelf or in a drawer and never look
at it again. When you do that, your plan is almost guaranteed to fail when the
people you love need it. In that case, its almost better to do nothing because
then at least you have it on your to-do list. False security is one of the
greatest risks of estate planning.We will help you navigate the law, and also help you tailor
your estate plan to fit your specific needs, as well as provide peace of mind
knowing that your estate plan is thorough and legally sound. Remember, when it
comes to safeguarding your family's future and ensuring your wishes are
accurately reflected, the value of expert guidance is well worth the
investment.At the very least, your attorney should help you create the
relevant documents, including:Creating a Will: A will is a document in which
you detail the distribution of your assets and designate guardians for any
minor children. It serves as your voice, ensuring your assets are allocated as
you desire. Setting Up a Trust: For greater control over the
distribution of your assets, a trust is invaluable. It not only allows for
precise management of how and when your assets are distributed but can also
offer tax advantages and circumvent the lengthy and public probate process. In
addition, and maybe more importantly, a trust will help your loved ones avoid a
lengthy, expensive, and totally public court process, which can cost your
family significant amounts of time, energy and attention. Selecting Guardians and Executors: A key component of
estate planning is choosing individuals who will execute your wishes and look
after your children if you are unable to do so. These crucial choices help
safeguard your family's future. And if you want to go beyond merely choosing
people to raise your kids, you need a thorough Kids Protection Plan, which
takes into account anything that could happen (i.e., youre in a car
accident and theyre with a babysitter at home). A Kids Protection Plan also
ensures your kids are raised by the people you want in the way you want, that
someone youd never want to raise your kids is able to, and that the right
people are able to get emergency care for them if youre traveling without
them.Managing Taxes and Expenses: Effective estate
planning can significantly lessen the tax load on your beneficiaries, allowing
a larger portion of your assets to benefit them directly instead of going
towards tax settlements.These are all undoubtedly important, and what most estate
planning attorneys will do for you. However, a Estate Planning Lawyer will go a
few steps further, ensuring that investing your tax refund in an estate plan is
the very best investment youll make all year. In fact, every Estate Planning
Lawyer promises to deliver a plan to clients that works throughout your
lifetime. They do this by:
Empowering
you to choose the right plan that fits your unique family situation,
values, and budget (most lawyers will tell you what you need);
Ensuring
your assets are inventoried and dont end up lost (most lawyers wont tell
you that this happens - a lot - to the tune of billions of dollars every
year);
Creating
a Kids Protection Plan, a comprehensive plan outside of your will for what
happens to your kids if something happened to you (most lawyers dont even
think to do this);
Being
a trusted advisor for your family, so they have someone to turn to for
help when something happens to you (most lawyers dont ever make contact
with your family after youve completed your estate plan);
Capturing
your memories, stories, values and family traditions so they are passed
down to the next generations (most lawyers dont think to do this either);
and
A
system for updating your plan at least every three years to make sure your
plan stays up to date so as your life changes and the law changes, your
plan works when you need it to (most lawyers treat their clients as a one
and done transaction, never checking in again and letting your plan go
stale).
What If I Didnt Get a Refund This Year?Now you may be thinking, bummer, I didnt get a refund this
year. Know these two things: 1) Estate planning is always a wise investment
whether you get a refund or not; and 2) A Estate Planning Lawyer, using a
unique process called Life & Legacy Planning, can help you organize your
finances so you are more likely to get a refund next year, or at least not have
a big unexpected tax bill, if thats what happened this year.. A Estate
Planning Lawyer will also help you get more financially organized than youve
ever been before, so that you make the very best decisions about the allocation
of your resources for yourself and the people you love. Estate Planning: The Ultimate Expression of LoveAmong all the ways to use your tax refund, estate planning
with a Estate Planning Lawyer ensures that your love and care for your family
endure long after you're gone. It's an act of foresight that not only secures
your family's financial future but also leaves a legacy.Contact Entrusted Legacy Law at 412-347-1731 or click here to schedule a complimentary 15-Minute call. This article is a service of Entrusted Legacy Law.
We dont just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered
decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's
why we offer a Life and Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more
financially organized than youve ever been before, and make all the best
choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our
office today to schedule a
Life and Legacy Planning Session and mention this article to find
out how to get this $750 session at no charge. Please note this is educational
content only and is not intended to act as legal advice.
