Reviewing Legal Documents

Remember—there are very few things you can change after you’re dead, and your estate planning documents are not one of them. If you have assets, liabilities, or loved ones, and you don’t have estate planning documents, get started now. Periodically review your existing major legal documents—after all, life changes, and your life documents should reflect those changes.

Estate-Planning Documents

Absolute bare minimum: Prepare a will and durable power of attorney for assets, so that state laws won’t dictate how your estate is distributed.  For those entering a subsequent marriage or with children, thoroughly review the entirety of your estate-planning documents to help ensure they accurately reflect your wishes.

Asset Ownership

Review how assets are titled for ownership to help ensure they are consistent with your estate-planning goals.

Assets with Beneficiaries

These assets would include life insurance policies, retirement plans, IRAs and annuities.  Predetermined beneficiary designations take precedence over other estate planning documents.

Business Arrangements

Review any agreements dealing with what happens if you die, are injured, or sell your interest.

 

Copyright © 2019 This article is published in its original form from its original publication with Investment Answers and Integrated Concepts, a separate, non-affiliated business entity. The original newsletter publication, Investment Answers Financial Success Summer 2019, is intended to offer factual and up-to-date information on the subjects discussed but should not be regarded as a complete, evolving, or personalized analysis of the topics, and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Qualified financial professionals should be consulted before implementing a personalized financial plan. Please reference the original publication for additional disclaimers.