Estate Planning Overview

PROBLEM: Up to 50% of your estate could be lost to probate costs and taxes if you do not have an effective estate plan. Some attorneys recommend their clients create a will instead of a living trust so the estate will go through probate. Why? Because attorneys do not always have their client's best interest in mind. The attorney wants to collect the legal fees associated with probate and in some states the attorney receives a percentage of all the assets that go through probate. Probate is time consuming, costly, and public. The only person that benefits if your estate goes through probate is the attorney.

SOLUTION: Revocable Living Trust

The Revocable Living Trust is a tool you can use to avoid probate, keep your estate private, and reduce or eliminate estate taxes. Setting up and funding a living trust enables you to effectively pass your assets to your heirs and is one of the most loving things you can do for your family.

Next Topic: "Understanding Probate"