DID YOU NAME THE IRS OR A PROBATE ATTORNEY AS THE BENEFICIARY OF YOUR ESTATE?

Surprisingly, many people do!

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If you don’t intend to leave your estate to the IRS or an attorney, then you should know that without proper planning, a huge share of your estate could wind up in the hands of the tax collector or probate attorney – which may be more than you leave your family. While large estates can lose as much as 50% to taxes, legal fees and other expenses, small estates get eaten by unnecessary probate.

Call us at 1-800-638-2320

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The solution - Estate Planning!

Don’t put off planning your estate! Death and taxes are certain, as the saying goes. Our estate planning experts can help you avoid problems that have serious consequences, such as:

check_mark_sm Probate – Potentially expensive, time consuming and totally public. Average costs are approximately 5% of the GROSS estate with a value that exceeds $3,000 to $100,000 (depending on the state) in personal property and real property. If you own property in another state or country, probate will occur in each of those states or countries. With a will or no will, probate will occur.

check_mark_sm Death Taxes – Heirs face hefty tax bills of 31% to 47% of a net estate's value over $2 million (2006). The bill is due in 9 months, in cash. (Caution: The estate tax exemption will drop back to $1million in 2011 when the tax reconciliation act sunsets).

check_mark_sm Other Taxes –You may not know about but which can greatly impact your estate.

check_mark_sm Business continuation concerns – Disruption of the business, including a possible forced sale or liquidation due to the death or disability of a key business owner or employee.

check_mark_sm Concerns of minor or disabled children and other heirs.

check_mark_sm Guardianship in the event of the parent's death.

check_mark_sm Common errors which leave the rights of children unprotected; for example, accidentally disinheriting stepchildren, children from a previous marriage or your children if you or your spouse dies and the surviving spouse remarries.

check_mark_sm Conservatorship - (also known as guardianship in some states). A legal proceeding in which the courts appoint someone to act as conservator and be responsible for an individual who is no longer deemed to be competent. Legal costs, annual accountings to the court, incompetence of the disabled adult are public record.

check_mark_sm Pensions - with incorrect planning, large private pensions can face income taxes and estate taxes.

Call us at 1-800-638-2320 to start your estate plan now!