Update Your Beneficiary Designations
Many people have not looked at the beneficiary designations on their Life Insurance, Retirement or Annuity Accounts for years. With most of these accounts, you were most likely prompted to designate a beneficiary when you first opened the account. People do not realize that any beneficiary designation made on these accounts will override their will, trust, or other estate planning documents executed. Too often, an ex-spouse is inadvertently left as a beneficiary or a later born child is omitted. Taking the extra step to add contingent beneficiaries to retirement accounts can even result in dramatic tax savings for your loved ones. A few minutes of work on your end can eliminate grief and consternation for your heirs after you pass.
So please, review all those designations to ensure they reflect your current wishes.
Should I Run My DBA-Small Business as an LLC or Corporation?
The answer is an unequivocal “YES!” Owning and operating your business as an LLC or S-Corporation may not only potentially shield your personal assets from business creditors and lawsuits, but the new tax law heavily favors operating as one of these types of “pass-through” entities. It is a win, win. BUT there are definitely traps for the unwary, and only a professional (not a web-site) can help you choose which form of business entity is right for you. Talk to a lawyer today.
What happens to the stuff in my house when I die?
There is a statute in Maine that allows you to tell people who you want to get your “tangible personal property” (that’s a fancy word for “stuff”) with a simple list in writing. Tangible personal property includes furniture, jewelry, dishware, art, even cars and pets. The general rule of thumb is that if you can touch it, it’s tangible. Not included are cash, stocks, bank accounts, life insurance, real estate, etc. This list does not have to be witnessed or notarized or carry any of the formalities of a will, yet your Personal Representative/Family must legally respect those wishes as if it did. The advantage is you can give a grandchild or neighbor something special to remember you by. If you get mad at them or lose touch you can change the list at any time without having to re-do your will or see a lawyer. These lists can be invaluable road maps for your loved ones when you die. They can also prevent fights over hot-point items like wedding rings or family heirlooms. I recommend that you date and sign your list, especially if you use your computer to generate it. Keep the list where it can be easily found. You can have just a few items or you can map out the distribution of your whole house, that’s totally up to you.
Why Title Insurance is a MUST
If you own real estate that you have inherited and you don’t have title insurance, consider it. People instinctively think that since it’s been in the family for years, there are no title issues. Unfortunately, properties owned for generations are by far the very properties that do have title issues. These properties have usually not been mortgaged, so the titles have not been vetted. Title insurance is an insured statement of the condition of your title or ownership rights to the property. It guarantees you own the property. Don’t get to the closing and find out you have title defects, which can cause major issues.
Why young families must have estate planning documents
All too often young families avoid or put off executing Wills and other estate planning documents because they don’t think they need them. Ironically, they are the very ones who do need estate planning. A Will allows you to name the Guardian of current and future-born children. Testamentary Guardianships are automatically issued by the probate court. There is no court process involved, so no family drama over who will take care of your children if both parents are gone. Moreover, your Will can set up a simple testamentary trust for minors to ensure that the money you pass to your children is protected until they are ready to inherit it. To ensure your loved ones have no worries, it is also essential to go through your beneficiary designations on insurance, retirement and other assets.
Attention – parents with grandchildren:
Estate planning gift certificates make great Christmas and Birthday gifts for our children!