The experienced attorneys at Cottle Keen Lopiccolo & Heyde, LLP will help you develop a comprehensive estate plan tailored to your needs so that you and your heirs can rest easy. Our goal is to keep your family out of court and out of conflict.
Below are four reasons why you need an Estate Plan.
The living trust is a powerful planning tool that ensures you are able to determine who will inherit your assets, how to pass on your legacy, and make sure your heirs stay out of court.
Many of our clients are surprised to learn that without a properly drafted trust, the court will determine who inherits from your estate.
These beneficiaries could include your spouse and children, but also may include the children or grandchildren of a predeceased spouse, or a spouse from whom you are separated.
Our estate planning attorneys help you identify the loved ones you wish to inherit your estate, and draft a trust benefiting only them.
Probate is a court process that becomes necessary when an individual does not have a will. Upon their death, the Judge will decide how a person’s assets are distributed, and who will receive them. Probates usually result in significant delays over more than two years and increased expenses. Instead of your heirs inheriting the full value of your estate, a significant portion may be used to pay attorney’s fees and court ordered expenses.
With a properly executed living trust, you can avoid the probate process and determine exactly what will occur when you are gone. A trust provides a streamlined method for transferring the assets you want to your heirs without court interference.
Your estate plan can have significant tax saving benefits. An early consultation with one of our experienced attorneys can help develop tax efficiency.
For example, portability rules may allow you and a spouse to maximize individual estate tax exclusions to benefit your heirs while minimizing estate tax consequences.
Similarly, you could craft a plan benefitting a charity of your choosing in addition to your family, which also fosterers tax efficiency.
An important benefit of your living trust is ensuring competent management of your estate. A trustee should be a trustworthy individual who will marshal assets at your death for transfer to designated beneficiaries. A trustee may also serve during your lifetime in the event of incapacity.
As such, it is important to consider common issues including:
• Do you have a business that needs management expertise?
• Do your heirs lack financial management skills?
• Do your heirs have substance abuse issues?
• Are your heirs in a shaky marriage?
• Do your heirs have specific medical needs or receive public benefits such as SSI?
When it comes to your legacy, your assets, and defining your future, you need the experienced estate planning attorneys at Cottle Keen Lopiccolo & Heyde, LLP. To schedule your Family Wealth Planning Session, please call (714) 997-7870, or click here to contact CKLH by email.
Legally naming guardians is the first step to keep your family out of expensive and unnecessary conflict.
The attorneys at Cottle Keen Lopiccolo & Heyde have the experience to effectively resolve these trust challenges.
To speak with an experienced attorney in Cottle Keen Lopiccolo & Heyde’s trust litigation practice, please call (714) 997-7870, or click here to contact CKLH by email.
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