It’s important to view estate planning within the context of your overall financial plan. Within an estate plan, you can dictate who inherits your assets, when, and how they can be used. If you become incapacitated, it allows you to appoint someone you trust to make financial and medical decisions for you. The plan also lets you advise health care workers and loved ones of your wishes regarding end-of-life care.

Many people mistakenly avoid or delay estate planning because they believe they lack sufficient assets. Regardless of income or net worth, we believe all our clients need basic estate planning documents to protect their assets and manage them wisely.

When discussing your estate planning needs, we start by focusing on what it is you want to accomplish. These objectives can range from simply naming beneficiaries to avoid probate delays, to leaving money to a favorite charity in the most tax-efficient manner. Other objectives require more complex planning, such as providing for a special needs beneficiary, protecting assets from nursing home costs, minimizing estate taxes, preserving valuable family heirlooms, or responsively distributing an inheritance.

While our financial advisors are not estate planning attorneys, they are well-versed in the field and work with estate planning professionals to assist you. Johnson Brunetti is committed to helping you get sound legal advice while also identifying ways to avoid unnecessary legal documents and fees.