I want to control and protect my property while I'm alive, take care of me and my loved ones if I become disabled, give what I have to whom I want, the way I want, when I want, and to do it all at the lowest overall cost to me and my loved ones.
If this is important to you, please read on...
WHY A WILL PROBABLY ISN'T ENOUGH...
Wills are an essential part of any properly drafted estate plan and are designed to provide care instructions for your loved ones only upon your death. Wills alone, however, are usually not enough. All wills:
- Guarantee probate (a will's authenticity and validity has to be proven in a court of law)
- Are fully public
- Offer no planning or directions for you or your family in the event of your disability
- Don't usually control life insurance proceeds, retirement benefits or jointly owned property
- May not be effective in other states
Most importantly, wills typically don't capture the hopes, fears, dreams, values and ambitions of their makers.
WHY A BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION ISN'T ENOUGH...
Designating beneficiaries on a life insurance policy does not enable you to leave instructions or provide guidance for your loved ones. Beneficiary designations oftentimes name the wrong beneficiary due to changed circumstances. Additionally, equal distributions from a beneficiary designation may cause unequal results. Unfortunately these designations also won't protect your spouse and children from creditors or unscrupulous people. Have we said enough?
WHY JOINTLY OWNED PROPERTY CAN BE TROUBLE...
Did you know that joint tenancy property can pass to unintended heirs? It can. For example, you die, your spouse remarries and eventually dies. Your property can be inherited by the new spouse to do with as they choose. Also, unintended gift and estate taxes may occur if joint tenancy is used between non spouses or with children. Regardless of whom the joint tenant is, their creditors can make claims against the property. Furthermore, joint tenancy property does not avoid probate, it only delays it.
OKAY, YOU HAVE A LIVING TRUST, BUT IS IT FULLY FUNDED?
Although most living trusts appear to be better than wills, they are about the same as wills if not fully funded because they do not avoid probate. Also, most living trusts are sterile legal forms that do not contain instructions for loved ones. They are not customized for your individual needs and only accomplish limited objectives.
THE SOLUTION: PROPER ESTATE PLANNING
A proper estate plan usually consists of a revocable living trust designed with your individual and family needs in mind. A good plan is drafted and maintained by an expert such as J. Craig Swapp to ensure your plan's legality and smooth implementation.
Our Estate Planning:
- Offers Instructions for your care and that of your loved ones in the event of your disability; not just death.
- Allows you to leave explicit instructions for the care of your loved ones.
- Creates protective trusts for your young children, disadvantaged children, adult children and grandchildren.
- Avoids probate and its associated legal costs, if fully funded.
- Controls all of your property including retirement plans and life insurance
- Keeps your financial and family affairs private and confidential
- Is effective if you move to or own property in another state.
- Provides maximum federal estate, gift and income tax planning.
Also, achieve family harmony through proper estate planning. Estate planning provides explicit instructions for you and your family's care and lays out detailed instructions on the distribution of assets. Estate planning helps ensure family harmony now, during any disability, and after your death; a benefit sure to put your mind at ease.
WHY USE J. CRAIG SWAPP, ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY?
During an initial no-charge first visit consultation, J. Craig Swapp will discuss with you in order of priority: your individual needs, family needs, financial status, and financial objectives. You and your family's needs are most important. The technique used to avoid or reduce taxes is easily selected once we address the higher priority issues. Also, J. Craig Swapp is a team player who works closely with you, your CPA, your life insurance agent, and/or your financial advisor to create the most effective plan possible.
If you don't have these advisors, we would be happy to offer recommendations or work with you individually. Using J. Craig Swapp Estate Planning Services also ensures smooth plan implementation and life-long commitment to keep your plan up-to-date on changing tax and estate laws.
Most impressively, J. Craig Swapp Law Offices can fully create your estate plan usually within three weeks! Call to schedule a no-charge consultation to find out how J. Craig Swan can help you.
ESTATE PLANNING ISN'T JUST FOR THE WEALTHY
No matter your age or the size of your estate, proper estate planning effectively provides detailed instructions for your loved ones, their care, and your care in the event of your disability, unlike wills or bare bones living trusts. Also, probate and its associated costs can be avoided by all individuals by seeking advice from J. Craig Swapp. Even the simplest of estate plans should be handled by an attorney to ensure validity and avoid probate. Your small investment now will give you peace of mind in the knowing that you and your family are protected now and in the future.
AND FOR LARGER ESTATES...
Creative estate planning tools such as Life Insurance Trusts, Family Limited Partnerships, Family Limited Liability Companies, Charitable Trusts, and other techniques can save you tens of thousands of tax dollars and can eliminate creditor claims if properly designed and implemented. J. Craig Swapp Law Offices can do this for you. Our estate planning expertise keeps us on top of any new tax and estate laws while we provide a life-long commitment to keeping your plan up-to-date.