Wills and Estates
Many people are confused when it comes to wills and estate planning. Most people find themselves Googling “what is estate planning” or “what are trusts and estates.” Perhaps that’s how you found yourself here. This blog is going to go over the basics for estate planning and other related topics such as elder law, how to probate a will, and what is a living trust.
Table of Contents
- Estate planning definition
- Estate planning checklist
- Wills and estate planning
- How to: change or revoke a will
- Types of trusts
- Can I create a trust without an attorney
- Estate planning statistics
- Summary
When the courts appoint an administrator to an estate, they can choose anyone. This includes creditors or third-party companies. Meaning you and your family lose all control over the estate.
If you want to create a will for your estate or file a petition to become the administrator of an estate, fill out the form below for a free consultation. Free consultations are first come first serve. We always run out of slots. Make sure you get yours locked in now.
Estate Planning Definition
Estate planning is the act of preparing the transfer of one person’s wealth and assets after their death. Assets include, but are not limited to, their real property, insurance money, personal belongings, and even debts.
Regardless of your age, health, or wealth, creating wills and estate planning in general are highly encouraged. Having a plan set in place in advance is the only way to ensure that your assets are being passed down the way you intended. It also can prevent future fighting amongst heirs and lower attorney and court costs for your family in the future.
Maybe you’re wondering why is estate planning important. Some people think it’s only a “rich people” thing and fail to realize that if you have any assets at all, you need estate planning.
If there is no plan in place for what happens to your things after you pass, it is ultimately left up to the court to figure it out. That means your house could end up with a cousin you weren’t particularly fond of or your kids are left fighting among one another on who gets your vintage Mustang. A huge part of estate planning is designating assets to your heirs.
Wills and estate planning also help you during the unexpected. No one plans on dying young, but if both you and your spouse pass before your child turns 18– who will take care of them? Are you willing to leave it up to chance? Or do you want to have it written down in your last will and testament that your old sister will take over? If not, it will be up to the courts to decide.
You’re able to transfer real estate with minimal taxes with just a little bit of planning! You could reduce a significant amount of your state and federal estate taxes or state inheritance taxes. This is a great help for your beneficiaries and can save them tons of money they would’ve otherwise owed to Uncle Sam!
Estate Planning Checklist
We’ve compiled a checklist of some things to consider and get taken care of when estate planning. Checklists are helpful and provide a great roadmap– so hopefully you’ll find this helpful and beneficial to your estate planning process.
- Create a last will and testament
Most people are aware of the functions of a will. It is a written document that explaining what will happen with your property in the event of your passing. It can also name a guardian for your children in the event both you and your spouse pass. This is where you say who gets what. - Setting up a trust
A trust isn’t as common as a last will and testament, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not beneficial. Trusts are usually used to minimize estate taxes and avoid probate, which can be a time-consuming and expensive process. - Health care directives
Sometimes it’s wise to write out your wishes for your health care in the event that you’re unable to make medical decisions for yourself anymore. This includes a “living will” and a power of attorney for health care. - Financial power of attorney
With a durable power of attorney for finances, you’re able to give someone the authority and power to handle your finances and property if you become unable to. Make sure it’s someone you trust a whole bunch! - Protecting your children’s property
If you have children, or plan to have children, you’ll want to name an adult to help safeguard any money and property your minor children may inherit from your passing. - Beneficiary forms
This is a step most people don’t think about yet can be the most helpful. Naming a beneficiary on a bank account and retirement plan makes the account automatically “payable on death” to the names beneficiary. This allows the funds to skip the probate process– kind of like the trust! - Life insurance
Consider investing in life insurance if you haven’t already! It could really help out your family, especially if you have young children or you own a house. - Funeral expenses
Funeral prepayment plans are sometimes unreliable, so we suggest setting up a payable-on-death account and deposit funds into it to for your funeral and other expenses– such as any probate costs! - Protect your business
If you have your own business, it’s time to start thinking of your succession plan. And if you own a business with a partner, be sure to have a buyout plan in place. - Store your documents
Keep your documents somewhere safe and organized. Your attorney and the executor of your estate will need these documents when you pass. Make this task as easy as possible so your family can focus on healing and moving forward.
Wills and Estate Planning
A will and testament is something that most people know about, but some aren’t familiar with the Georgia requirements for wills and estate planning. Keep these in mind before meeting with an estate and wills lawyer in Atlanta.
- Testator must be at least 14 years old (testator is a person who has given a will).
- Testator must be of sound mind and memory.
- Must be in writing and signed by the testator
- Two or more witnesses must sign the will in the testator’s presence
- Wills must make a disposition of property
Because some people aren’t familiar with the requirements, benefits, and drawbacks of estate planning, it can sometimes make them an easy target for scammers. An increasing amount of scam-artists are targeting elders so beware these scams— one of them even involves estate planning.
Probate Administration
Once you pass, your family will have to distribute your property based on your last will and testament. This is known as probate administration or to probate your estate. Common probate assets include: clothing, jewelry, household furnishings, cars registered in your name, and real estate registered in your name.
How To: Change or Revoke Wills
Your will can be changed up until your death provided you’re mentally competent and meet the other requirements of creating a will and testament– remember those will requirements above?
Changing a will requires a written document called a codicil, which changes the will. The alternative is to make a whole new will all together. A codicil has all the same requirements as the Georgia will calls for. As for how to revoke a will in Atlanta, you can just make an entirely new one. Any new will and testament will make prior versions void.
If you do decide to change your will, you do not have to provide notice to your beneficiaries about any edits. They have no say in your will and you don’t need their approval if you decide to make any changes.
Types of Trusts
In general, a trust is a right in property that is held in a fiduciary relationship by one person for the benefit of another. The trustee is the one that holds title to the trust property and the beneficiary is the person who receives the benefits of the trust. There are several different types of trusts, but we’re going to explain the two most common and most used.
Revocable Living Trusts
You might also hear them referred to as “living trusts,” just know it’s the same thing. These trusts can be altered, changed, modified, and totally revoked by the settlor (the trustmaker). This type of trust is particularly helpful when trying to avoid probate with certain properties. The trustmaker can transfer the title of a property to a trust, serve as the initial trustee, and then has the ability to remove the property from the trust during his or her lifetime. If ownership of assets is transferred to a revocable trust during the lifetime of the trustmaker so it is instead owned by the trust at the time of the trustmaker’s death, the assets will not be subject to probate because the administration of a trust is a private matter.
Irrevocable Trust
This trust is quite the opposite of the living trust. Once an asset goes into the trust, even the trustmaker is unable to take it out except under a few circumstances. This trust is much more permanent. So, what are the advantages of an irrevocable trust? It puts somewhat of a shield over the property from creditors. This property is no longer the grantor’s but, rather, the legal property of the trustee to hold for the beneficiaries. This can also help with taxes!
Can I Create A Trust Without An Attorney
The short answer is yes. You’re 100% able to create a trust or will without an attorney. This is a popular option among people with very simple needs when it comes to wills and estate planning. Some people are just natural DIYers, and that’s ok! However, for those with slightly complex wills and estate planning needs, hiring a lawyer might be the safer route. Some people want to include slightly complex elements to their wills and estate planning. That can include generation skipping, assistance with trust funding, or conditions to beneficiaries.
But as long as you follow the formal requirements for your will or trust creation, you’ll be all set!
Estate Planning Statistics
It’s safe to assume that most people have not created a will in their early adulthood; people in their 20’s-30’s don’t think about dying or estate planning in general. People in that age bracket use the excuse of not having any assets to worry about yet. However, estate planning statistics show that 51% of Americans 55-64 years old have not created a will, either. Usually this is the time when people start estate planning, or at least should, in order to have ease of mind knowing their family and estate has a plan and will be taken care of.
One study showed 13% of people believe that their assets will just automatically pass to their spouse or children; another 18% viewed it as not necessary. We believe that many people are misinformed on how long it takes to create a will, the expenses, and who should be creating wills (the answer is everyone!)
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You don’t want the state to decide how to distribute your estate.
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You don’t want family members who are disowned to get your assets.
You don’t want your estate to get stuck in probate for 12+ months.
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This website is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Consult an attorney if you are seeking legal advice.