Throughout your life, you have most likely accumulated many different types of assets. When planning your estate, it is useful to know which of those assets you should leave to your family members.
Estate planning is not just about deciding how much you want to give your heirs. It is also about how you want to give it to them. Specifically, you might need to decide whether a particular asset should be passed along “as is” or whether it would be better to dispose of a certain asset now and reposition its value for maximum benefit to your estate (and your heirs). While every situation is unique, there are some general considerations to keep in mind as Investopedia recently discussed in “Estate Planning: Which Assets Are Best to Leave Your Family.” The three most important considerations are:
If this sounds like a lot to consider, meet with an experienced estate planning attorney. He or she will help you create the right plan for your situation.
Reference: Investopedia (June 27, 2016) “Estate Planning: Which Assets Are Best to Leave Your Family”