Estate Planning

A pillar of your personal financial plan

Who will benefit from your legacy?

Life is finite, but the financial legacy you leave behind has the potential to impact your loved ones for generations to come. Taking the right steps now can help ensure your assets are protected and your plan is followed to the last detail.

Beyond Wealth Survey
Wealth transfer preparedness

A Closer Look at Key Documents

Leave direction, not doubt

The right documents—updated and revisited regularly—can help ensure the details of your future legacy are aligned with your current wishes.

  • Will

    Designates how your assets are distributed upon your death and identifies the parties involved in the settlement of your estate

  • Healthcare power of attorney

    Authorizes a designee to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you're unable to make those decisions

  • Power of attorney

    Grants another person authority to conduct your financial affairs when you're unable to do so on your own

  • Revocable trust agreement

    Provides trust instructions for your intended beneficiaries and can be altered at any time while you're mentally able

Titling Assets
How to protect your legacy for your loved ones

The proper titling of assets is an overlooked component of a comprehensive estate plan. Taking these steps can help you pass on your legacy in the manner you intend.

Align with your estate plan

Your assets should be titled in a manner consistent with your wealth transfer objectives, asset protection needs and intent for beneficiaries.

Check asset titling

Ensuring your assets are titled properly can mitigate losses during your lifetime and reduce obstacles for your loved ones after you pass.

Minimize vulnerability

Improper titles can leave your wealth exposed. Meet with your attorney and financial team to explore how your titles can help protect you from creditors and litigation.

Seek professional legal advice

It's important to partner with a qualified legal professional who can help establish your core documents and properly title and protect your assets.

Review regularly

Life changes—and your titles should change with it. Review them regularly with your attorney, CPA and financial team to prevent gaps in your tax or wealth strategy.

Estate Planning FAQ
People often ask us

Anyone can benefit from a documented estate plan—especially individuals with complex family dynamics, closely held businesses or significant charitable goals.

An estate plan can help direct your assets to your intended beneficiaries, including family members, loved ones and charitable organizations. Additional benefits include privacy for your estate and family at the time of your passing and mitigation of the probate process.

Estate Planning Insights
A few insights for your estate plan

Estate Planning

How a Charitable Trust Works

A charitable trust packs a one-two punch, helping you provide for your family and give generously.
Placing assets in a charitable trust may help minimize income, gift and estate taxes.
Estate Planning

How to Handle Blended Family Estate Planning

Learn how certain strategies may help make estate planning for blended families easier to navigate.
Think carefully when choosing a power of attorney. People often name a spouse to act on their behalf in these matters, but in blended families, this could lead to conflict about who’s in charge.
Estate Planning

How to Minimize Estate Taxes With a Trust

For wealthy individuals, a trust could make a big difference in the amount of tax your estate will owe.
The current estate tax exemption threshold could fall by roughly half in 2026 unless Congress acts to extend the current levels.
Explore more estate planning insights

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