Estate Planning and Asset Protection
For most Americans, their estate plan consists of four things:
- Last Will and Testament or Revocable Living Trust
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Living Will
- Healthcare Proxy
As for asset protection, an umbrella policy and life insurance would likely cover most families.
For successful families with a thriving business these things are only the tip of the iceburg.
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Not so ordinary Estate planning and risk management
In our opinion, the estate planning process represents a once in a generation opportunity to utlize the tax code to go far and above determining who gets what.
Done properly a great estate plan can provide your heirs with:
- Asset Protection from frivolous law suits, divorce, creditors and bankruptcy.
- Avoidance of future estate taxes for generations.
- A family bank designed to encourage the goals of future generations utilizing low interest/high risk loans intended to be repaid.
- Potential reduction of current estate, income and capital gain taxes.
- A meaningful legacy aligned with the family's values and impacts the community for generations.
A cornerstone for any transition plan, whether your estate or your business, is to have the plan is stress tested to ensure that the transition will be both, smooth and orderly, and cost and tax efficient.
Risk Management
Managing risk is very different from the strategies needed to grow your business or your investments. It's all about preparing for the unknown and hoping that it never happens. For high net worth and ultra high net worth families it's a totally different ball game and must be approached seriously.
You have the same issues as everyone else to consider:
- Survivorship Planning
- Disability Income
- Home Health care and Nursing Home Costs
You also have added risks to think about:
- Underinsured Property
- Cyber Crimes
- Wealth Preservation
- Tax Mitigation
- Illiquidity - wealth tied up in the business
- Professional Liability
- Poor Record Keeping
- Family and Other Relationships
- Safety, Security and Travel