Estate Planning: What Should be included in your list of assets?
Estate planning is the meticulous arrangement of your assets, ensuring that they are distributed according to your desires upon your passing. This task, while sensitive, is essential to avoid unnecessary probate disputes and to provide for your loved ones.
Identifying Your Assets
The first step is to compile a comprehensive list of your assets. This is not merely an inventory but a blueprint of your financial life, which will aid an estate planning attorney in crafting a robust strategy for asset distribution and protection.
Creating a list of your assets is important for several reasons. First, it will help your executor or personal representative to locate and value your assets. Second, it will help to ensure that all of your assets are distributed to your beneficiaries in accordance with your wishes. Third, it can help to minimize estate taxes.
Begin with tangible assets — the physical entities you can touch and feel. This category includes real estate holdings, vehicles, jewelry, art, and collectibles. Next, consider your financial investments: stocks, bonds, retirement accounts, and any other investment vehicles.
Business Interests
For entrepreneurs, business interests represent a significant asset. Whether it’s a share in a partnership or ownership of a corporation, your estate plan must address succession and the distribution of these interests.
Life Insurance and Annuities
Life insurance policies and annuities offer a direct benefit to your beneficiaries. However, without proper designation, the proceeds from these policies can become entangled in probate, delaying distribution and potentially diminishing the intended benefit.
Digital Assets
In our digital age, online accounts and digital assets are increasingly important. Ensure you include usernames, passwords, and directives for digital platforms ranging from social media to online banking.
Personal Effects
Lastly, do not overlook personal effects. Heirlooms, letters, and items of sentimental value may not have high monetary worth but hold immeasurable emotional significance for your loved ones.
Sample Asset List
To create an asset list, start by gathering all of your financial statements and other financial documents. Then, go through each document and make a list of all of your assets. Be sure to include the account number, value, and location of each asset.
For tangible assets, such as real estate and vehicles, you will need to estimate the value of each asset. You can do this by using online tools or by consulting with a professional appraiser. Once you have created a list of all of your assets, be sure to review it regularly and update it as needed.
Here is a sample asset list:
- Real estate, including your primary residence, vacation home, and investment properties
- Vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and boats
- Jewelry, art, and other collectibles
- Financial accounts, including bank accounts, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, and insurance policies
- Business interests, such as stock ownership, partnerships, and sole proprietorships
- Intellectual property, such as copyrights, trademarks, and patents
- Any other assets of value, such as frequent flyer miles, gift cards, and online accounts
Safeguarding Your Legacy with Precision and Care
Estate planning transcends mere asset listing; it’s a safeguard for your legacy and a shield for your family’s future. Thomas N. Scheffel & Associates, P.C., stands ready to navigate the intricacies of this process with you.
With seasoned asset planning attorneys in Denver Colorado, we provide tailored advice and sophisticated planning techniques to honor your wishes. From establishing trusts in Denver to overseeing probate administration, our comprehensive services ensure your estate is managed with care and foresight.
We understand the sensitivity of these matters and approach each case with the attention it deserves. Protect your legacy. Contact Thomas N. Scheffel & Associates, P.C., today, and take the first step in securing your estate. It’s your life’s work; let’s ensure it’s preserved according to your wishes.