Monday, 6 February 2017

The Main Mistakes In Austin Estate Planning

By Ruth Thompson


If you are the owner of a vast estate, hiring good lawyers to establish an effective plan for you can give you peace of mind. It can also provide a certain degree of relief because you know that you have arrested a problem that will surface at a time when you can do nothing to resolve it. Here are some of the best things that you need to consider when dealing with your Austin estate planning:

The number one mistake is not planning to avoid probate. Many people only have a will or nothing at all to direct the disposition of their estate. However, a will alone cannot avoid the expenses and time delays of the probate process for those with estates greater than $15,000. Even in the simplest situation the process requires a minimum of a year. If your family or financial situation is more complicated because of blended families or conflict among your children, the process can take much longer than that.

Appoint a guardian. You should designate a guardian for your young sons and daughters. If you won't do it, a judge will. He has the authority to appoint somebody who will take care of your children in case you die unexpectedly. Designating a guardian for your children can help to prevent your qualified close relatives from fighting and claiming over the right to become lawful guardian for your children. You also need to allocate a backup guardian as a precautionary measure just in case your first choice can't serve for any reason.

Consider avoiding the expenses and time delays of probate and protect your family with a Trust. A Trust, with you in charge, can own your home and other assets and allow them to pass to your family smoothly and efficiently. It can also build in tax savings and asset protection that a will cannot. It is very important to work with a qualified professional who will help you comprehend how a trust and other documents should be designed to meet your goals.

You should furnish your attorney with the necessary documents and information to make your estate plan serve its purpose. These documents include deeds to your properties, divorce documents, shareholders agreements, and prenuptial agreements. Your failure to supply these documents can result in the failure of your plan.

Unfortunately, many people do not plan their wills because they believe that they don't need a will plan or they believe that their family members can handle the task of dividing up their assets. However, if you fail to have a solid estate plan in place to handle the settlement of your affairs after you die, the laws in your state will determine what must be done.

Let your fiduciaries know of their appointment and tell them to contact your lawyer. Letting fiduciaries know of their appointment can help to ensure that the will plan is in place. Assigning a fiduciary who doesn't know about his appointment is disadvantageous to the estate plan. It can also create more problems if the designated person is not willing to serve or can't be found.

These are some of the most important steps you can take to make an effective estate plan. They can work for you.




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