An estate plan is a coordinated plan that guides the distribution of your personal and business assets after you die. It gives you the opportunity to help your beneficiaries and your favorite charitable organizations. And it can help you preserve your assets and simplify all of the legal issues involved with the management of your estate.
With the right assistance and guidance, you can design your estate plan to:
- Protect your family
- Provide for a child with special needs
- Determine what happens to your business
- Distribute charitable giving
- Divide your assets according to your wishes
Our professional, dedicated, local estate administration team will provide estate settlement expertise with client-focused attention to the needs of all parties involved your Estate Administration, including:
- Collaboration with local estate attorneys
- Collection and valuation of assets
- Safekeeping of personal property
- Payment of final debts, estate administration expenses, and bequests/taxes
- Assistance in preparation of accountings
- Estate settlement and funding of trusts
Many Estate plans also include a trust and because of the complexities involved, it’s important to get help from our experienced Trust professionals who can help design an appropriate plan to help you work toward your goals.
Below are just a few questions that you should ask yourself when creating your plan.
- Do I have a Will and the right estate plan in place?
- Who will take care of my family after my death?
- How will my affairs be managed if I become incapacitated?
- Am I really maximizing my investment options?
- How can I balance the needs of my family with my charitable intentions?
- Do I have a team around me I truly trust with what is precious to me?
After answering the above questions, ask yourself these key questions to see if a Trust may be right for you:
- Do you want to protect the interests of a surviving spouse?
- Do you want to ensure your wishes are honored after your death?
- Do you have a family member with special needs?
- Do you need assistance keeping financial affairs orderly?
- Are you passionate about charitable giving?
- Are you a business owner and/or executive?
- Do you want to avoid probate and protect your privacy?
So whether you’re concerned about your family, a child with special needs, the education of your children or grandchildren, business succession, or the continued support of your favorite charity, here’s something to keep in mind—you can make a powerful impact on the future with help from our dedicated team of ESL Trust Services professionals.
