Step 5: Estate Plan

The value of an estate plan is twofold. Yes, you want to pass your assets on to heirs in a seamless and tax-efficient manner. But it is also a roadmap to help your heirs understand the full breadth of your assets, where they are located, and how they should be disseminated according to your wishes.

Two important components of your estate plan come into play before you pass away. The first is a Power of Attorney. This document appoints someone you trust – a relative, a friend or a custodial like a bank – to handle your finances on your behalf should you become incapacitated. The second is a Health Care Directive, in which you name someone to make medical decisions for you when you no longer can. To accompany this document, you also may want to complete a living will, generally a boilerplate form that lets medical providers know if you want to forgo life-saving procedures and treatments if you’re in a terminal condition, a coma or near the end of life. Also known as a DNR (do not resuscitate), this document dictates your wishes rather than placing the burden on someone else.

Write a Last Will and Testament

The more complex the estate, the more likely you will need an estate attorney to help you. However, in many cases, an individual can create a will on his own using state-provided forms. The most important thing to remember is that each state has its own requirements regarding wills, such as whether it can be handwritten or even digital and who and how it should be witnessed and possibly notarized. Every time you move to another state throughout your lifetime, you’ll need to update or replace your will to reflect your new home state’s rules.

Your will should name an executor or personal representative in charge of executing the will’s instructions. If you are not married and have minor children, you’ll need to name a guardian for them once you’re deceased. Note that while the age of majority is generally 18, this can vary by state or jurisdiction. Your will should instruct how your assets should be disseminated and to whom, including contingent beneficiaries (should your first choice die before you), and specifically name anyone whom you don’t want to receive proceeds. For example, without a will as a guide, a probate judge may decide that a step-brother should receive your assets instead of your best friend since he is technically a relative.

Be aware that the beneficiary designations on your accounts (e.g., bank, investment, insurance policies) supersede instructions in your will. For example, if you want your second wife to be the sole beneficiary of your assets but forget to change her as the beneficiary on your 401(k) account, your ex will get the payout. That’s the same for all of your accounts with a named beneficiary, so every time you remarry or experience other life-altering events, be sure to review your account beneficiaries and estate plan documents.

Also, make it easy for your executor to find the documents needed to liquidate and/or transfer assets. A simple way to do this is to keep a three-ring binder or file drawer that houses documents/statements for each of your assets, including banking and investment accounts, former and current employer retirement plans, life insurance policies, annuities, real estate property records, etc. If you have a home or property that needs to be sold with proceeds split among your heirs, you should keep records to help establish the property’s cost basis. This includes the sale price and closing expenses from when you purchased the home, as well as the cost of any major repairs or renovations (e.g., new roof, HVAC, additional rooms). When the house is sold, the amount of the sale price minus the cost basis will determine whether or not capital gains need to be paid. Note that taxes on property and investments will need to be paid before assets can be disseminated to your heirs.

Your will is designed to guide a probate judge so that your estate can be settled quickly. However, if you want your heirs to have access to your assets without being subject to probate, consider naming them as joint account owners on your bank and investment accounts as well as the deeds to your properties.

With larger or more complex estates, you might want to consider a trust. Estate planning trusts vary by the type of beneficiary, payout structure, and tax benefit. A trust avoids probate and can help minimize the tax burden on your accumulated assets. Bear in mind that there are dozens of different types of trusts for different circumstances, so it’s important to work with an experienced estate attorney to determine what works best for your situation.

Remember, your estate plan should be a living document that is reviewed and updated every few years to incorporate any new changes in your life, including marriage, children, divorce, and death.