NEWS & RESOURCES

They should not be left ill-informed or unaware.

Provided by Charlie Miracle, CPA
Cordell, Neher & Company, Wenatchee Certified Public Accountant

End of life planning is not the easiest thing to do. This is one reason why some people never adequately communicate their intentions for the transfer of their wealth. Those who do create estate plans with help from financial and legal professionals sometimes leave their heirs out of the conversation.

Have you let your loved ones know about your estate plan? This is decidedly a matter of personal preference: you may want to share a great deal of information with them or you may want to keep most of the details to yourself. Either way, proper communication can assure your desires are met.

Having this talk can become easier when it is a values conversation not a money conversation.

Values driven estate planning. You can let your heirs know that your values are at the core of your plans. You need not tell them how much they will inherit. However, you may want them to know about the planning steps you have taken to make a difficult time a bit easier.

For example, you can tell your loved ones that you have a will and/or a revocable living trust. In all probability, your executor or successor trustee has been informed of his or her future responsibilities – but other heirs may not know who the executor or successor trustee will be.

You could also tell them that you have an advance health care directive in place and inform them who you have named as an agent to make health care decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so. You can provide the contact information for your estate planner, your CPA, your retirement planner, and any insurance, legal, and medical professionals you consult. Tell your heirs the role these professionals have played for you, your family, or your company and why their judgment should be trusted.

Do people beyond your household need to know about your estate plan? Think about it for a second. If you have grandchildren, nieces, or nephews, do they figure into your estate plan? Would it be appropriate to let them know that you have made an estate-planning decision or two on their behalf? How about charities or non-profits you have supported – have you notified them of your intent to make a gift from your estate and could knowledge of your decision better facilitate the process? How about your business partner(s)? Do they need to be informed of particular estate-planning intentions you have?

Obviously, you must keep certain details close to the vest. However, keeping everything to yourself can be problematic. Are your heirs aware of the location of a copy of your health care proxy? Might they discover that you have planned for some of your estate to transfer to charity only after your death? Dilemmas and surprises like these may be avoided through communication – the type of communication that anyone planning an estate should make a priority.

Not every couple or individual does though. BMO Wealth Management asked the high net worth clients it advises if they had disclosed the location of their wills and power of attorney forms with their heirs. Thirteen percent of respondents said their heirs had no clue; 25% said “only my spouse and I” know the location of the documents.1

A 2017 Caring.com poll determined that just 42% of Americans had gone so far as to draw up a will, let alone an estate plan. So, if you have planned for the transfer of your wealth, you are ahead of many of your peers. Just see that your intentions, and some specific details, are effectively communicated.1

Charlie Miracle is a Certified Public Accountant with Cordell, Neher & Company, PLLC, a Wenatchee public accounting firm. Charlie Miracle may be reached at 509-663-1661 or charlie@cnccpa.com. www.cnccpa.com

This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.

Citations.
1 - cnbc.com/2017/11/15/12-financial-planning-documents-to-handle-health-end-of-life-care.html [11/15/17]