You’ve got a Will. That’s great… Now, where is it?

Bigstock-Extended-Family-Outside-Modern-13915094ThinkAdvisor’s recent article, “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way — if Loved Ones Can Find It,” cautions that it’s important to implement and communicate an estate planning strategy in a way that prevents conflict and promotes harmony. Family dynamics are becoming more complex, so the potential for conflict after a death is on the rise.

BMO’s survey of 1,008 Americans 18 and older, found that 52% of all respondents didn’t yet have a will. This figure rose to 56% among those between 35 and 54. Of married adults who had a will and/or powers of attorney, 25% said only their spouse knew where the documents were kept.

Many issues, challenges and potential family conflicts can be avoided, when an estate plan and will are in place. A person who passes away in the U.S. without a will, may have his or her estate controlled by state intestacy laws. That will determine who will receive assets from the estate.

The survey also found that 40% of parents had never discussed their estate plans with their kids. Just 28% of all adults said they knew about their parents’ wills or estate distribution plans.  A total of 40% of the survey’s respondents said the distribution of their parents’ estates was unfair.

The survey noted that an estate plan with an up-to-date will and open conversations with the will’s executor and heirs were important to achieving estate planning goals. A will and estate plan should always be reviewed when any of these occur:

  • Marital status changes
  • Birth of children and grandchildren
  • Purchase of life insurance
  • Retirement
  • Receipt of an inheritance
  • Health changes

Estate plans should have a focus on taxes to help with a fair after-tax distribution and minimize the tax liability.

Reference: ThinkAdvisor (April 6, 2017) “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way — if Loved Ones Can Find It”