Estate protection safeguards your savings and property for your loved ones. For advice on the best way to protect your estate talk to us at Endeavour Financial Planning.
Power of Attorney:
When you die, your money and property can be protected by a will that distributes your health to your family, dependants or nominated beneficiaries. However, estate protection is not just about what happens after you die. If you become seriously ill or suffer an accident that prevents you from making decisions about your finances, then you need a trusted person to act on your behalf and administer your estate.
A Living Power of Attorney document names the individual who will make such decisions for you if you become mentally incapable.
Your will:
A will names the people who will receive your wealth after you die. A will is not just about assets and money, you can also use a will to appoint guardians to look after your children if your spouse is unable to or not alive after you die.
A will appoints an executor who will look after your money and property and ensure they are passed on in accordance to the instructions in the will.
The will can also stipulate your wishes about your funeral and the executor is to make sure the funeral is arranged in accordance with your wishes.
Trusts:
You may also wish to consider protecting your estate by using a trust. In this process, you will transfer some or all of your assets to a trust. A trust document known as a deed then details how the assets of the trust are distributed when you die. A will is needed only for any assets held outside of the trust.
A trust can be set up whilst you are living or on your death.
Although assets transferred to a trust are no longer owned by you, you can become a trustee of the trust and dictate how the trust funds are handled.
Assets from a trust can also be transferred to family members before you die.
A trust can protect your property from a forced sale to pay for long term care costs. They can also save on inheritance tax.
There are many actions you can take to protect your estate to make sure that your wealth is passed on to your loved ones according to your wishes. Talk to Endeavour Financial Planning to discuss how we can help you manage and protect your estate.
Trusts, Will Writing, Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning advice are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.