Ensuring that your wealth is transferred according to your wishes, in a smooth and tax-effective manner is key to your peace of mind. We can help you to plan for your beneficiaries by:
- Ensuring appropriate structures are in place to minimise your family’s tax liability.
- Planning the distribution of your wealth so that benefits are maximised for your beneficiaries.
- Making sure that your Estate Plan is in line with your current circumstances (marriage, divorce, the birth of children or either the acquisition or disposal of new assets will all affect your plan).
- Putting in place plans to ensure that your dependents are financially cared for.
Sadly, for a lot of Australians, estate planning is an area that either isn’t initially considered or is out of date.
When such crucial issues are at stake, it pays to have a professional work with you to ensure that at a difficult time, matters are taken care of swiftly for your dependants.
It can be hard to accept, but you won’t be around forever. After you are gone it is important to have a plan to distribute your wealth to your loved ones.
What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning ensures that the wealth you have built is transferred to your beneficiaries smoothly, tax-effectively and most importantly, according to your wishes.
Your estate plan incorporates your will and much more. Your will is a legal document that outlines your wishes and names the executor of your estate. This is the person who will have the responsibility of carrying out your wishes as outlined in your will. Find out the responsibilities of an executor.
Your estate plan may also include putting structures in place to aid a tax effective transfer of assets, drawing up legal documents such as powers of attorney, having provisions to provide for your family or setting up a charitable legacy.
Do I Need a Will?
A valid Will is fundamental, but there are a number of things to consider to ensure that your intentions are fully carried out. Life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children and the buying or selling of assets will impact your Will.
It is important to ensure that you not only review your Will regularly, but your estate plan as well, to ensure that they both remain appropriate.
Should I get a Professional to Help?
There a many varied structures that are available to help create an effective Estate plan. As legislation varies from state to state, a professional financial planner can help you determine which options are appropriate for your needs.
With an effective estate plan in place you can reduce your family’s tax liability and maximise their benefits.
