{"id":1149,"date":"2019-10-22T12:40:11","date_gmt":"2019-10-22T17:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ramsaywealth.com\/blog\/?p=1149"},"modified":"2019-10-10T11:30:04","modified_gmt":"2019-10-10T16:30:04","slug":"will-you-avoid-these-estate-planning-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ramsaywealth.com\/blog\/2019\/10\/22\/will-you-avoid-these-estate-planning-mistakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Will You Avoid These Estate Planning Mistakes?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Too many wealthy households\ncommit these common blunders. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people plan their estates diligently, with input from legal, tax, and financial professionals<\/a>. Others plan earnestly but make mistakes that can potentially affect both the transfer and destiny of family wealth. Here are some common and not-so-common errors to avoid.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doing it all yourself.<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While you could write your own will or create a will, it can be risky to do so. Sometimes simplicity has a price. Look at the example of Aretha Franklin. The \u201cQueen of Soul\u2019s\u201d estate, valued at $80 million, may be divided under a handwritten or \u201cholographic\u201d will. Her wills were discovered among her personal effects. Provided that the will can be authenticated, it will be probated under Michigan law, but such unwitnessed documents are not necessarily legally binding.1<\/sup>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Failing to update your will or trust after a life event.<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Relatively few estate plans<\/a> are reviewed over time. Any major life event should prompt you to review your will, trust, or other estate planning documents. So should a major life event that affects one of your beneficiaries.\u00a0
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appointing a co-trustee. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trust administration is not for everyone. Some people lack the interest, the time, or the understanding it requires, and others balk at the responsibility and potential liability involved. A co-trustee also introduces the potential for conflict.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being too vague with your heirs about your estate plan. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While you may not want to explicitly reveal who will get what prior to your passing, your heirs should understand the purpose and intentions at the heart of your estate planning. If you want to distribute more of your wealth to one child than another, write a letter to be presented after your death that explains your reasoning. Make a list of which heirs will receive collectibles or heirlooms. If your family has some issues, this may go a long way toward reducing squabbles as well as the possibility of legal costs eating up some of this-or-that heir\u2019s inheritance.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaving a trust unfunded (or underfunded). <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Through a simple, one-sentence title change, a married couple can fund a revocable trust with their primary residence. As an example, if a couple retitles their home from \u201cHeather and Michael Smith, Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship\u201d to \u201cHeather and Michael Smith, Trustees of the Smith Revocable Trust dated (month)(day), (year).\u201d They are free to retitle myriad other assets in the trust\u2019s name.1<\/sup>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ignoring a caregiver with ulterior motives. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Very few people consider this possibility when creating a will or trust, but it does happen. A caregiver harboring a hidden agenda may exploit a loved one to the point where they revise estate planning documents for the caregiver\u2019s financial benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best estate plans are clear in their\nlanguage, clear in their intentions, and updated as life events demand. They\nare overseen through the years with care and scrutiny, reflecting the magnitude\nof the transfer of significant wealth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rich Ramsay may be reached at 651-429-3151 or rich@ramsaywealth.com. https:\/\/www.ramsaywealth.com\/ <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This material was prepared by\nMarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the\npresenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from\nsources believed to be accurate. Please note – investing involves risk, and\npast performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not\nengaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If\nassistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a\ncompetent professional. This information should not be construed as investment,\ntax or legal advice and may not be relied on for avoiding any Federal tax\npenalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell\nany investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon\nas such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular\ninvestment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Citations.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 \u2013 detroitnews.com\/story\/news\/local\/oakland-county\/2019\/05\/20\/lawyer-says-3-handwritten-wills-found-aretha-franklin-home\/3747674002\/ [5\/20\/19] <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Too many wealthy households commit these common blunders. Many people plan their estates diligently, with input from legal, tax, and financial professionals. Others plan earnestly but make mistakes that can potentially affect both the transfer and destiny of family wealth. … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[118,301,161],"tags":[303,306,305,302,284,163,304,289,285,186],"yoast_head":"\nAvoid These Estate Planning Mistakes | Ramsay Wealth Management<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Effective estate planning uses input from legal, tax, & financial professionals. Here are some important estate planning mistakes to avoid. 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