Estate planning is a process where you designate or state who will receive, manage and take responsibility for your assets upon death or in case of incapacitation. The procedure includes a legally binding document with details of who will control how your things are distributed and the people or organizations to receive. Therefore, you need to provide precise instructions on who and how to carry out your wishes. It also shows who has the authority to make healthcare and financial decisions on your behalf during your life.

For sound financial estate planning, ensure you work with the experts at Gold Tree Financial. We will guide you on starting the process, ensuring your beneficiaries receive your estate wishes with minimal taxes paid, court fees, legal costs, and no disputes. Having a lawyer and our financial estate planner guide you on drafting your plan is the first and most important step for success. However, your plan must include other equally essential basic components in the process.

When you talk to any estate planning financial advisor from Gold Tree Financial, they will enlighten you on the importance of a well-established estate plan. What's more, you will also learn the basics of this critical process. Also, after drafting your plan, we recommend reviewing or updating every one to three years to make sure that every part of your estate is accounted for in the process. Still, a reputable estate plan must have some key components. These include a Will, Trusts, Power of Attorney, Health Care Directive, and Beneficiary Designations

Will

A will directs who will receive your assets and other property after death. You have control over your legacy through an executor and can change it during your lifetime. It also states a guardian for your minor children and dependents upon your death.

Trusts

This is a legal arrangement where a trustee has a legal title to property on the beneficiaries' behalf. When setting a trust, you can dictate when and how beneficiaries receive what is stated. There are two types of trusts, revocable and irrevocable. In a revocable trust, you remain in control of your stated property with the liberty to revoke or adjust the terms at any time.

On the other hand, in an irrevocable trust, you no longer have authority over the assets, and you can't make any adjustments without the beneficiaries' consent. However, with our financial advisors, you will get the best guidance.

Power of Attorney

Should you become incapacitated or ill, a power of attorney is the person you designate to manage your affairs. The person also your agent can make financial decisions on your behalf. This power can be general or specific. In general, the set agent has the full capacity to carry out any business transaction. In specific, the agent's power to transact is limited as outlined.

Healthcare or Medical Directive

This directive is similar to power of attorney, whereby the person you designate makes medical decisions for you where you are incapable. There are two types of medical directive documents: a living will and a healthcare proxy.

Beneficiary Designations

For your estate plan to be legally binding and beneficial, it must dictate or state who will receive the benefits in precise details. The designations, in this case, supersede what's in your will. This is why it's recommended to review your designations regularly, at least annually.

Without these important components, your estate plan will not be legally binding, and it's prone to heated disputes. But with our experienced estate planning financial advisors, you will receive help to ensure everything is professionally set, up to date, and error-free.

The process of establishing an estate plan may sound convoluted. However, with the help of a reputable financial estate planner who will factor in the progression and changes in life, such as increasing or disposing of assets and other property you will be able to ensure your wishes are carried out. Since estate planning is not a one-time thing but an ongoing process, we have endeavored to ensure our financial planners and services are equipped to give you unbiased advice and recommendations.

Gold Tree Financial planners are dedicated to helping you create customized strategies to pursue and set your financial estate plan dreams. We will also guide you on setting a plan that minimizes estate and income taxes in generational wealth transfer.

Why do I need to have an estate plan?

An estate plan will protect your property for your family and other beneficiaries. You also need to establish it as a safety measure that preserves your assets while minimizing disbursement time and ensuring your legacy is carried out as you stated.

What should estate planning cover?

A legally binding estate planning process should cover a last will or testament, trusts, power of attorney, insurance protection, healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations.

What is the difference between a will and estate planning?

A will is only a part of the Estate planning process. Estate planning is designating what happens to your assets during your life, especially after your incapacitation or upon death. On the other hand, a will states where your assets will go or who gets them after your death. It also states who becomes the guardian of your minor children. Please note that a will is only enforced after death.

The process of estate planning can be hectic and stressful. Don't navigate this process without a professional to help you. Contact Gold Tree Financial experts today to review your options and find out more. Our financial estate planners are waiting for you.