The Importance of Having a Well-Formulated Estate Plan

 Posted on September 17,2014 in Estate Planning

A well-formulated estate plan gives estate owners peace of mind knowing their assets and funds are going to the right place. One reason why it is important to develop an estate plan is to potentially reduce or eliminate federal estate taxes, also known as the "death tax." Calculated at 40 percent, these taxes not only diminish funds from loved ones but they can also severely impact a private company.

According to an article in Forbes, an estate is only subject to federal estate tax if it is valued at more than $5.34 million. Moreover, there is a marital exemption. If you are married, you and your partner will not have to pay federal estate taxes unless your combined estate is valued at more than $10.6 million. Although these limits mean most Americans will not need to pay estate tax, those who do could see a substantial loss in wealth. If a business is owned, there are a number of other criteria, including death or retirement of the key asset holder, that can affect a business's equity before estate tax comes into effect. Understanding these factors can put a person in a position to keep these taxes low.

In addition, Forbes contributor Steve Parrish notes that business owners may also face the challenge of not having "sufficient liquidity to carry the estate through to distribution to the beneficiaries." Creditors may need paid off or lost revenue may need supplemented. However, this can be avoided by having an estate plan that is sufficient in funds. A well-formulated estate plan considers all factors "that can challenge the successful transfer of wealth, including the estate tax," states Parrish.

If you need help developing a well-formulated estate plan in Illinois, please contact Stock, Carlson & Asso. LLC. Our DuPage County estate planning lawyers offer solutions to protect your rights and assets and can assist clients in Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Lombard, Naperville, and throughout DuPage County. To schedule a consultation, please contact our office at 630-665-2500.