Secure Your Legacy: Estate Planning Essentials from Goldberg & Goldberg

At Goldberg & Goldberg, we understand the significance of ensuring your financial legacy and safeguarding your family’s future. Here are essential steps to maintain control over your financial matters and provide for your loved ones, whether in the event of incapacitation or the inevitable. To discuss your estate planning needs, contact us at (301) 654-5757 for a Free Consultation.

1: Establish a Durable Financial Power of Attorney

Grant someone you trust the authority to manage your financial affairs with a Durable Power of Attorney for finances. This legal instrument is crucial should you become unable to oversee your affairs personally. Your appointed agent or attorney-in-fact will be empowered to act on your behalf, and they need not be a legal professional. For an in-depth understanding, consult Goldberg & Goldberg about how a Durable Financial Power of Attorney functions.

2: Safeguard Your Children’s Inheritance

It is essential to appoint a responsible individual, such as a guardian, custodian, or trustee, to manage the assets you intend for your minor children. This can potentially be the same individual you designate as the personal guardian in your will. For further guidance, our attorneys at Goldberg & Goldberg can provide insights on securing an inheritance for your children.

3: Evaluate the Need for Life Insurance

Life insurance is an important consideration, especially if you have dependents, own property, or might leave behind debts or taxes. This tool can ensure your family’s stability. Learn more about whether you need life insurance and how it can benefit your children by reaching out to our team.

4: Designate Pay-On-Death Beneficiaries

Avoid the time-consuming probate process by naming beneficiaries directly on bank or retirement accounts, which become “payable on death” to your chosen beneficiary. Registration of stocks, bonds, or brokerage accounts and, in some places, vehicle transfers can also be simplified this way. The attorneys at Goldberg & Goldberg can show you how to effectively avoid probate.

5: Minimize Estate Taxes

Though federal estate taxes affect only the very wealthy, you may still need to plan for state inheritance taxes. Understanding and potentially reducing your tax liability is crucial. Explore Estate and Gift Tax FAQs with our knowledgeable staff and craft a strategic plan to protect your estate’s value.

6: Ensure Business Continuity

Single business owners need a succession plan, while co-owned business partners should have a buy-sell agreement in place. Goldberg & Goldberg is well-versed in the complexities of maintaining business stability through partnership changes.

7: Plan for Funeral Expenses

A more reliable alternative to prepaid funeral plans is setting up a Totten trust for your funeral and final expenses. Our attorneys can guide you through establishing this type of trust, thus avoiding potential pitfalls of prepaid funeral arrangements.

8: Organize and Store Vital Documents

Allow your attorney-in-fact or executor easy access to crucial documents such as wills, trusts, and insurance policies. Make sure they know where to find information pertaining to real estate, investments, bank accounts, retirement plans, and outstanding debts. We at Goldberg & Goldberg can assist with safekeeping strategies for these vital documents.

For personalized estate planning advice and to ensure your financial affairs are impeccably managed, contact Goldberg & Goldberg at (301) 654-5757 for your Free Consultation. Your peace of mind is our priority.