Estate planning overlooked – Most parents plan just about every aspect of their child’s birth and upbringing even before the child is born – scheduling the birthing classes, planning the new nursery, even picking out a preschool. There is so much to think about before you welcome your new child.
Unfortunately, one of the most important things parents can do to protect their child is often overlooked: estate planning. Here are five important considerations you parents need to discuss with their Personal Family Lawyer:
Guardians and trustees. Parents who delay choosing a guardian for their children usually do so because they cannot agree on that “perfect” choice. Get comfortable with the fact that there is no perfect choice – and if you don’t choose, a court will choose for you. You can always amend your choice if you change your mind. When choosing a guardian or trustee, you need to think about choosing someone who shares your beliefs and who will naturally be a part of your child’s life. And you need to make sure whomever you choose is willing to take on the responsibility of raising your child if you are unable to do so.
The Tagre Law Office offers a unique estate planning process for families with young children at home. Contact me to discuss how a Kids Protection Plan can ensure your children are always cared for by people you know, love and trust if anything at all happens to you.
Passing on your assets. Assets cannot pass directly to children under the age of 18, so you will need to think about setting up a trust and naming a trustee to manage the assets you would leave your children. You also need to examine your beneficiary forms for retirement accounts and insurance policies to be sure your new child is included as a beneficiary. Even if you name them in a will, a beneficiary form for these accounts will determine who inherits.
Education. The cost of college is already sky-high; can you imagine what it will be like in another 18 years? You probably want to start saving right away, either through a 529 plan or an educational trust so you can realize some tax benefits while you save.
Asset protection. If you have an estate of more than $10.5 million, you will want to discuss asset protection strategies that will help you minimize taxes and protect assets for your heirs.
Avoiding probate. Talk to us about setting up a living trust so your heirs can avoid the delay and cost of probate and assets can pass directly to them.
If you’re ready to protect your children through estate planning, call our office today to schedule a time for us to sit down and talk. We normally charge $750 for a Family Wealth Planning Session, but because this planning is so important, I’ve made space for the next two people who mention this article to have a complete planning session at no charge. Call today and mention this article.
