Whether they give their wealth to others during their lifetimes or after they’ve passed away, clients will want to minimize taxes and ensure that beneficiaries are well-informed. Few things are as important to your clients as their financial legacy and the well-being of their heirs. Help your clients understand the importance of estate planning with this education guide that outlines basic estate planning tools, the importance of taxes, estate planning and children, and more. Developing a sound estate plan can help give clients confidence and security about their legacy beyond their life. Further, developing relationships with your clients’ heirs helps to build your practice. This includes beneficiary education, tax support, and coordination of asset allocation and Federal estate tax planning in conjunction with external CPAs and accounting professionals. Why a Financial Planner is a Key Player in the Estate Planning Proce
When you pass away, your beneficiaries simply present a death certificate to the brokerage firm, and the assets transfer into their names—no probate required. You'll name one or more beneficiaries who will automatically receive the account funds upon your death. Your 401(k), IRA, pension, and other retirement accounts pass directly to named beneficiaries, completely bypassing probate—but only if you've properly designated beneficiarie
It’s quite common to own property jointly with a spouse or business partner, whether it’s having both of your names on your home or business property. There are several estate planning measures you can take to avoid probate. While having a will does not entirely avoid probate, it can simplify the process and ensure that your wishes are honored. When you structure your estate to bypass the probate process, you ease the administrative burden on your family and give them peace of mind during a difficult time. To avoid probate, it’s critical to transfer title to all your assets, now and in the future, to the trust. Indeed, for larger, more complicated estates, a living trust (also commonly called a "revocable" trust) generally is the most effective tool for avoiding probate. Create a Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Matters These accounts allow you to name a beneficiary who will automatically receive the funds upon your death. Payable-on-death and transfer-on-death accounts are additional tools to avoid probate. By designating a beneficiary, these assets can be transferred directly to the named individual upon your passing, without the need for probat
Estate planning can become more complex in situations that involve blended families, estranged heirs, children from prior marriages, or unmarried partners. At EP Wealth Advisors, we offer tax planning services that are key to estate planning, including potentially minimizing any tax burden for your heirs. As a first step, EP Wealth advisors will provide a one-on-one financial health assessment to determine the overall state of your CA for families finances. Should you die before your children reach age 18, you can name a guardian in your estate plan if their other parent cannot care for them. Preparing for your wealth transf
Facilitating Multistate Asset Management Check with the bank, insurer, or other entity holding your account or asset to find out how to designate or change a beneficiary and if there are any restrictions. These intestate succession laws are complicated, but they essentially distribute your assets to your surviving relatives based on familial relationship. It includes analyses of the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct provided by The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Creating a Valid California Wi
We deliver clear, personalized strategies designed to reduce financial stress and help you pursue your life goals. "Expert guidance from an experienced team that CARES. "Their professionalism is unwavering, yet it's always delivered with a human touch that makes you feel like you're talking to trusted friends who also happen to be financial wizards."3 "They think outside the box, are CA for families always coming up with solutions that I never thought of (or did my other advisors) and they are always there and ready to spend the time with me to explore options."4 The changes we made stabilized my accounts and returned my investments to positive earnings."6 It feels great knowing our retirement is in such capable and trusted hand
The Key Components of an Estate Plan An advance health care directive and power of attorney document can help you prepare for the unexpected as part of an estate plan. The plan documents help you manage your life while you're still alive, not just at your passing. And don’t forget, Practitioner also includes TrueCite®, CEB’s powerful case law citator, enhancing your research efficiency and accurac
At EP Wealth, we work with clients to address these nuances early and integrate them into their broader estate and wealth management strategies. EP Wealth Advisors may cover some or all of the costs of preparation of foundational estate planning documents for select clients when using one of the independent attorneys we have contracted with for estate plans. Many people have a will, which is vitally important, but they may not have made decisions about how their wealth will be managed after they're gone. Click here for more financial education resources and to learn about other life transition planning services. Watch one of our webinar to better understand the basics of estate plannin