Retirement planning is not just about income. It is also about what happens to everything you worked for after you are gone. A basic estate plan helps protect your family, reduce confusion, and make sure your wishes are carried out the right way.
A will is a legal document that explains who receives your assets and who is responsible for settling your estate. With a will you can:
Without a will, the state decides how your assets are distributed. That process may not reflect what you would have wanted.
Probate is the legal process of settling an estate after someone passes away.
During probate:
Probate can be time consuming, public, and sometimes expensive. In some states it can take months or even longer depending on the complexity of the estate. Proper planning can help reduce or avoid probate altogether.
A trust is a legal structure that holds assets for the benefit of someone else. Unlike a will, a properly funded trust can help avoid probate.
Common benefits of a trust:
There are different types of trusts. A revocable living trust is common for families who want flexibility and control during their lifetime. Other trusts may be used for tax planning, long term care planning, or special family situations.
Legacy planning goes beyond documents. It is about making sure your assets transfer efficiently and according to your values.
This includes:
I help clients think through how their assets will pass to their beneficiaries at a high level. I educate clients on how wills, trusts, and probate work so they can make informed decisions
I do not draft legal documents. My role is to help you understand how estate planning fits into your overall retirement income strategy and to coordinate with qualified estate planning attorneys when appropriate.
