Gift Legacy eNewsletter 09/07/22

ESTATE PLANNING GUIDE We are here to help you plan

Did you know that approximately 70% of Americans have no Will?  Without a Will, there are some disadvantages:

1. The State has made a Will for you and you may not like what it says.
2. Your spouse will not automatically inherit everything. 
3. The courts, not your family, have control of your money and property (estate), which are distributed according to inflexible state laws rather than your desires.
4. If you are married and you and your spouse die together, you will not have a say about who will raise your minor children. The courts will decide and may appoint someone as a guardian whose values and lifestyle are different from yours.
5. The courts can choose a stranger or someone whom you would not want to serve to handle the settlement of your estate, and it may be expensive.
6. You will not have the opportunity to leave a charitable bequest to your favorite charities. 
7. If you have minor children, money can be tied up in the courts that may be needed for their care. 
8. When each child reaches the age of majority (age 18 in some states), he or she receives an inheritance all at once in a lump sum. 

Is the thought of estate and financial planning overwhelming? We can help! Contact us to provide you with an Estate Planning Guide packed with tips and strategies to help you plan or update your will or trust and secure your future. By having the Estate Planning Guide completed, you will save time and money on attorney fees.

To get your free copy, please contact me at jcruz@hartnell.edu or my cell at 831-444-2446.