Estate Planning Misconceptions
In legal terms, estate planning refers to the area of law regarding wills, probate, trusts, and power of attorney. Because people don’t often think about these things on a regular basis, there are many estate planning misconceptions. If you have any questions about the process, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
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Estate Planning Misconceptions | “A Will Gives Me Complete Power Over Where My Assets Will Go”
Even people who accept that they need more than a will for a comprehensive estate plan can still overestimate the legal power of a will. While people unfamiliar with estate planning often think of a will as a straightforward and unfettered statement of their wishes, this isn’t the case. You cannot, for example, disinherit your spouse with a will. A spouse will always be entitled to one half of your “wealth” (broader than your estate). This is called a “right of election.” If you attempt to use your will to give your spouse less than one half of your wealth, or if you miscalculate in your will such that it leaves your spouse less than one half of your wealth, your spouse may exercise this right of election and override the terms of your will. You cannot unilaterally refuse this right of election. The only way around it would be through an airtight pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement.
Lastly, a will only affects what happens after you die. Proper estate planning includes end-of-life planning. You should have a power of attorney and a healthcare proxy to make medical and legal decisions in case you become incapable of either. You cannot assign such powers in a will. Also, a will is not the proper place to put your funeral and burial wishes. The probate process will occur after your funeral. Make sure you discuss these arrangements with family and friends and consider stating your wishes in a separate document. You can talk to an estate planning attorney about the best ways to make your funeral and burial wishes a reality.
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Estate Planning Misconceptions | “You Need to Be Rich to Make Setting Up a Trust Worthwhile”
When people think of “trusts,” they often think of the very wealthy – of annual investment incomes and “trust fund babies” and all the trappings associated with the leisure class. They might even think a lawyer would decline to set up a trust for assets below a certain threshold.
This is all misleading and misled. Almost anyone can set up a trust. If your debts are larger than your assets when you die, then creditors will make claims to your estate – but even in this case you may be able to use a trust to pass assets on to your loved ones before creditors come to seize them.
Even if you only have a few thousand dollars to pass on, a trust could be worthwhile. If your beneficiaries are young, and if you appoint a capable trustee, those funds could grow significantly after your death and make a much bigger impact than you might realize when your trustee finally distributes them. Talk to your estate planning attorney about your finances to understand if a trust might help in your situation.
The Law Office of Randy H. Gugino is dedicated to providing clients in Buffalo and Western New York with legal assistance in all aspects of wills and trusts law. To schedule a no obligation, initial consultation with Buffalo estate planning lawyer Randy Gugino, contact us by phone at (716) 800-4652. Let our experience work for you.
