Even younger people can become ill or incapacitated and unable to make essential decisions on their own. Many people think that if they do not own many assets, or are still young, then estate planning is not important. A comprehensive estate plan will cover both, and will help your family navigate their way through everything smoothly, avoiding confusion and uncertainty.Įveryone needs an estate plan. Without estate planning, there will be no plan in place to determine what will happen should you become ill, or pass away. Not sure where to begin? Follow our useful estate planning checklist for the guidance you need in this vital process. Being able to choose where your assets go after you die so there is no confusion for those left behind, potentially reducing the amount of tax payable so loved ones can benefit as much as possible, and planning ahead to ensure there is a strategy in place to manage your assets should you become unable to do so, are all vital elements of estate planning. This is precisely why estate planning is so crucial. It goes without saying, therefore, that providing for them is going to be top of your agenda. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.There is nothing more important in your life than your loved ones. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. State law may further impact your individual results. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. We would be happy to talk to you about how you can further our mission with a gift.

When you use your estate plan to support Haverford, you are establishing a legacy of generosity. Take the time to inform your beneficiaries of their status to avoid surprises later. Work with your estate planning attorney to make any updates. Include a health care power of attorney to guide your family and health care providers when you are unable to make decisions for yourself.Make sure the titles for your assets reflect your current circumstances and wishes, so they go to the people and organizations you intend.Look over beneficiaries designated for your insurance and retirement plans to make sure you haven’t named a now-deceased loved one or a former spouse.If your dependents were minor children who are now grown, does a guardian still need to be listed? Be sure you are comfortable with the guardian named in your will for those under your care.Check that the executor or personal representative you’ve named is still the qualified individual you want to manage your estate, resolve claims, minimize taxes, and distribute the designated portions to your beneficiaries.Consider the impact of any tax law changes or the decision to add a gift to Haverford College in your plan.Review your will, checking for updates that may need to be made because of a change in your life or a beneficiary’s.This checklist can help you prepare, care for others, and manage the distribution of your assets. The underlying question: Does your plan meet your current goals? Use This Helpful Checklist Have you recently celebrated the birth of a new family member? Moved to a new state? Experienced a large financial windfall or a loss? Changed relationship status? They are all good reasons to review your estate plan. When life changes, your estate plan should too.

Estate planning checklist