The Bain Group Estate Planning

What is an Estate?

An estate consists of the property owned by you at the time of your death. This property includes bank accounts, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, real estate, automobiles, boats, stocks, bonds, business interests, art, jewelry, household furnishings, and any other property you may own.

What is an Estate Plan

An Estate Plan is simply one or more documents detailing the instructions to be followed regarding the distribution of your assets upon your death. Estate Plans are scalable to provide for varying degrees of assets, heirs, and tax planning. For example an Estate Plan developed for a single twenty-five year old of modest means will likely be considerably less complex than a plan for a middle-aged married business owner with children and grandchildren.

Simple Estate Plans are usually comprised of a will which specifies the distribution of your property upon your death. An Estate Plan can also include directives concerning your health care in the event that you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself.

More involved Estate Plans could include a will, a Revocable Living Trust, a Bypass Trust, a charitable trust, a Living Will, a Durable Health-Care Power Of Attorney, a Charitable Remainder Trusts, a Qualified Personal Residence Trust, and other documents.

Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?

Without an Estate Plan your assets will be distributed based on the laws of the State in which you reside. The result of this impartial distribution may contradict your actual intentions and fail to provide for the needs of those who are dependent on you. Your minor children may be appointed guardians to someone other than your choice, or become involved in a protracted custody battle.

Estate Plans have the ability to dramatically reduce the amount of estate tax paid to the government leaving more resources to be distributed to your heirs. Additionally an Estate Plan can completely eliminate the need for your estate to be processed through the probate system, saving substantial amounts of time and money.

Regardless of the total value and complexity of your assets, Estate Planning is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure that your final property and health care wishes are honored, and that surviving loved ones are provided for in your absence.

Married couples, parents with children, and unmarried individuals should have Estate Plans which designate the distribution of assets and provide for the family and intended beneficiaries. An Estate Plan is the insurance policy which protects the family assets and the family!