Taking time to prepare now means less stress later.
It’s never too early to start estate planning, and if you already have a family, getting your personal affairs in order is a must. The sooner you start planning, the more prepared you will be for life’s unexpected twists and turns.
The following tips, aimed at those under 40, can help you approach and simplify the estate planning process:
Start now, regardless of net worth. Estate planning is a crucial process for everyone, regardless of wealth level. “Many people will say, ‘Well, I don’t have a lot of assets, therefore I don’t need an estate plan.’ Maybe you only have debt, but it still applies. If you want the people around you to appropriately deal with your finances, a plan is still just as important.”
This is especially true if you are responsible for financially dependent individuals, such as young children. “The less you have, the more important every bit you’ve got is to you and the people you care about. If you don’t have much money, you really can’t afford to make a mistake.”
Have the “what if?” conversation with friends and family. Before jumping into the estate planning process, it’s important to establish exactly what you want, and need, to happen after you die and relay those wishes to those around you.
We find that the best transitions and financial transfers happen when all family members are involved in the decision making. This way, after a loved one is gone, no one is squabbling over a couch or going, ‘Why did person A get more than person B?’ If wishes are laid out clearly while the individual is living, they can share the rationale behind the decisions.
Focus on the basic estate plan components. Experts say life insurance, a will, a living will and a durable power of attorney are all important aspects of an estate plan that should be established at the start of the planning process.
In the event of an untimely death, life insurance can replace lost earnings, which can be especially beneficial for younger individuals. “Young people can’t afford to die. They are going to lose a source of income if something happens to a young couple and they haven’t had enough time to accumulate wealth from earnings to put aside in savings or a retirement plan.” Also, the earlier you take out a life insurance policy, the more likely you are to be approved for reduced rates compared to older individuals.
The next step is to draft a will detailing how you would or would not like your assets to be transferred to your designated beneficiaries following your death. A will should also outline any designated child guardians or financial account trustees, if applicable. “Who is going to look after the accumulated wealth that was put aside for those who may be too young to do it themselves?” As a general rule of thumb, the more detailed you make your will, the better.
Trustees can be appointed not only to manage the distribution of assets, but also to perform tasks such as accessing your bank account and selling your home. “We call it a durable power of attorney. That documentation is very important and should be appointed to someone you really trust because the power could potentially be abused.”
A similar power of attorney should also be appointed as part of a living will to be responsible for important health care decisions if you become severely incapacitated or disabled. A living will document outlines how you want your life to be treated in the instance that you cannot make decisions for yourself. “Think of it this way: If you don’t have the health care directives in place, or have given someone that authority, who knows what could happen.”
Utilize estate planning professionals. To draft these basic estate plans, experts recommend carefully selecting a team of professionals who will educate you and draft what you need based on your individual situation.
According to financial planning experts, the average initial cost for the legal drafting of a will, living will and durable power of attorney documentation is between $500 and $1,200, depending on the family size and location.
To keep planning costs even lower, visit a certified financial advisor before going to an attorney to become more educated about the overall process. “A financial planner can prepare individuals as much as possible before they go to an attorney so when that individual walks into their attorney’s office, they have a good understanding of the situation and can efficiently use the time they are paying for.”
Continue to review your plan over time. Finally, your estate plan should never be a one and done thing. Every five to seven years, the documents should be readdressed to adapt to significant life events, tax law changes or even the addition of more children. It is also important to keep tabs on your insurance policies and investments, as they all tie into the estate plan and can fluctuate based on the economic environment. If you have to make revisions, it will cost as much as it did to create the documents in the first place.