Estate Planning and Trusts
Preserve, Protect, and Transfer Your Wealth
A thoughtful estate plan is about more than just passing assets—it's about preserving your legacy, providing for your loved ones, and reflecting your values. Whether you're educating the next generation, ensuring your family's financial future, or leaving a charitable legacy, our team can help you develop a personalized plan tailored to your goals.
Why Estate Planning and Trusts Matters
- Give Back: Support your favorite community organizations and causes.
- Secure Your Legacy: Pass your business along intentionally.
- Communicate Values: Ensure the next generation understands your values.
Estate Planning and Trusts For Your Financial Affairs
- Reduce Tax Exposure: Implement strategies that can minimize tax liability.
- Provide Funding: Ensure your final expenses are covered.
- Avoid Probate Fees: Efficient planning to minimize probate-related costs.
Estate Planning and Trusts For Your Family
- Provide Thoughtfully: Care for your loved ones according to your wishes.
- Charitable Successor: Name family members as successors to charitable accounts.
- Guardianship: Appoint a guardian for minors or dependents within your estate planning and trusts to ensure their care.
Our Comprehensive Approach to Estate Planning and Trusts
We collaborate with your attorney, CPA, and other professionals to ensure a seamless execution of your estate plan. This holistic approach helps identify opportunities and avoid strategic mistakes. Our impartial trustee services offer an alternative to appointing family members or friends, potentially reducing trust management and administration fees.
Common Myths About Estate Planning and Trusts
There are several misconceptions surrounding estate planning and trusts that often deter people from creating a comprehensive plan. Here are a few of the most common myths—and why they’re simply not true:
Myth: Estate planning is only for the wealthy
Many believe that estate planning is only necessary for individuals with significant wealth. However, anyone with assets—whether it's a home, savings, or a business—can benefit from a plan that ensures their loved ones are taken care of and their wishes are followed.
Myth: Trusts are complicated and only for the elderly
Trusts can seem complicated, but they’re a versatile tool that can help individuals of all ages protect their assets, minimize taxes, and avoid probate. They are not exclusive to the elderly; in fact, many young families use trusts to ensure guardianship and financial security for their children.
Myth: A will alone is enough to manage my estate
While a will is an important part of an estate plan, it doesn’t cover everything. A will alone can leave your estate subject to probate, which may delay the distribution of assets and increase costs. Incorporating estate planning and trusts helps ensure a smoother, faster transition of assets according to your wishes while reducing legal fees and taxes.
No matter your age or financial situation, estate planning and trusts are vital tools for safeguarding your future and securing your legacy for the next generation.
Essential Documents for a Successful Estate Plan
Will: The cornerstone of your estate plan, detailing how you want your assets distributed and appointing guardians for minors.
Living Trust: Allows efficient management of your financial affairs and swift asset transfer outside the probate process.
Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA): Grants someone the authority to manage your financial and medical affairs if you become incapacitated.
Living Will: Outlines your wishes for end-of-life care, ensuring your preferences are followed.
Getting Started
Planning for the future can be complex, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Our team of estate planning and trusts professionals is here to assist you every step of the way. Discover how we can help you create a lasting legacy for your family and loved ones.
Helpful Resources:
Dive into our curated collection of informative PDF documents designed to guide you through the nuances of estate planning. From checklists to guides for productive family meetings, these resources provide valuable insights to help you understand and navigate the process of preserving, protecting, and transferring your wealth. Download our materials to start your journey toward a secure financial future.
1 The 2024 Forbes ranking of America’s Top Wealth Management Teams Best-In-State, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. This ranking is based upon the period from 3/31/2022 to 3/31/2023 and was released on 01/09/2024. Advisor teams that are considered must have one advisor with a minimum of seven years of experience, have been in existence as a team for at least one year, have at least 5 team members, and have been nominated by their firm. The algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 10,100 team nominations, 4,100 advisor teams received the award based on thresholds. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC. Please see https://www.forbes.com/lists/wealth-management-teams-best-in-state/ for more info.