Estate Planning

No one likes to dwell on the idea of his or her own death, but if you postpone planning for your passing until it’s too late, you run the risk that your intended beneficiaries may not receive what you would want them to receive.

Whether due to extra administration costs, unnecessary taxes, or squabbling among your relatives, it’s important to plan now for the future no matter how small your estate may be!

By getting your affairs in order while you are still competent, ensures that your property will go to the people you want, in the way you want, and when you want.

Estate planning also enables you to save as much as possible on taxes, court costs, and lawyers fees; it affords you the comfort of knowing that your loved ones won’t be burdened with unnecessary red tape and financial confusion.

All estate plans should include (at a minimum) a Power of Attorney for Property and/or welfare matters and a Last Will.  You may also wish to consider a Living Will to manage your medical treatment whilst still alive but incapacitated in hospital. The Power of Attorney allows your appointed person(s) to manage your property and/or welfare decisions while you are still alive, in case you are unable to do so yourself.

A Last Will is for the management and distribution of your property after death and is vital to avoid problems associated with intestacy (no Will). The Will can make provision for minors and gifts to charities that would otherwise not benefit without a Will in place.