subject: 3 Reasons Everyone Needs An Estate Plan [print this page] Estate planning is a task that commonly gets pushed to the back burner. Why? The reason I hear most often is not a good one because it's based on a terrible misconception.
Here is the terrible misconception:
I do not need to do estate planning right now because it's not taxable.
Now, it is true that an estate is not taxable if it falls under a certain threshold. That threshold is currently $3,500,000. Many people hear this number and instantly think they don't need it because their estate is under the threshold.
This is not true!
While it's true their estate may not be in urgent need of estate tax planning, there is still a need for basic estate planning. Estate planning is not just about the estate tax. In fact, some of the most important reasons to do estate planning have nothing to do with estate tax.
Here are just a few reasons why estate planning applies to just about everyone - regardless of their income, wealth or age.
#1 Protect Your Minor Children
Estate planning is an absolute necessity if your have minor children because this is how you name the guardians of your minor children. Without this in place, the guardian of your minor children is left to the courts to appoint.
#2 Make Your Medical Decisions
Proper estate planning is not just about what happens when you die, it also addresses what happens in the event you are unable to make your own medical decisions.
Addressing what medical treatments you do or don't want while you are able to make and communicate these decisions is crucial. Part of proper estate planning includes discussing your decisions with your physician and your family.
#3 Take Care of Your Finances
As I mentioned in #2, a big part of the basics of estate planning is addressing what happens if you become incapacitated.
Think about this: If you became incapacitated tomorrow:
Would your mortgage be paid on time? Would your bills be paid on time? Would your family be able to maintain the lifestyle they are accustomed to during your incapacitation?
Proper estate planning addresses not only what happens with your finances when you die, but also how your finances are managed during any period of incapacitation. Planning for this in advance as part of your basic estate plan is a wonderful way to take care of your family.
No Estate Tax Doesn't Mean No Estate Plan
Remember, just because you don't have an estate tax issue doesn't mean you don't need estate planning now. Some of the most important reasons to do estate planning have nothing to do with estate tax.
Creating your plan to incorporate the basics of estate planning doesn't have to take a lot of time or money. The key is knowing where to start and taking action now.
Copyright (c) 2009 Tom Wheelwright
by: Tom Wheelwright
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