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When you hear the phrase “estate planning,” the first thought that comes to mind may be taxes. But estate planning is about more than just reducing taxes. It’s about ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes. In addition, as of this writing, there is much uncertainty surrounding estate taxes: First, an estate tax repeal — for 2010 only — went into effect Jan. 1. Second, the estate tax is scheduled to return in 2011 with higher rates and lower exemptions than in 2009. Finally, Congress may repeal the repeal, perhaps retroactively to Jan. 1, and is expected to reduce rates and increase exemptions for 2011. It may even have acted by the time you’re reading this. Check with your estate planning advisor for the latest information.

Given the unsettled nature of the laws, it’s more important than ever to have an  estate plan that’s flexible enough to allow for all possibilities.

Unless specifically noted, this guide assumes that the estate tax will be in effect in the year of death. Examples generally use 2009 rates and exemptions, because many observers believe they will be extended.

This guide will help you start preparing a plan to reduce your estate taxes. And if you already have a plan in place, it will suggest strategies you currently may not be employing. We begin in this first section by offering you an overview of basic estate planning principles. Then we start discussing estate tax saving strategies.

Certainly this guide is no replacement for professional financial, tax and legal advice. As mentioned, Congress is likely to make further estate tax law changes that could affect the issues discussed here — or your estate plan. In addition, many states have “decoupled” their death taxes from the federal estate tax, so that state taxes may be due upon your death even if no federal estate tax is due. Be sure to get professional advice before implementing any estate planning strategies.

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Fundamental Questions

Because estate planning isn’t just about reducing taxes but also about making sure your assets are distributed as you wish both now and after you’re gone, you need to consider three questions before you begin your estate planning.

1. Who should inherit your assets?

If you are married, before you can decide who should inherit your assets, you must consider marital rights. States have different laws designed to protect surviving spouses. If you die without a will or living trust, state law will dictate how much passes to your spouse. Even with a will or living trust, if you provide less for your spouse than state law deems appropriate, the law may allow the survivor to elect to receive the greater amount.

Once you’ve considered your spouse’s rights, ask yourself these questions:

• Should your children share equally in your estate?
• Do you wish to include grandchildren or others as beneficiaries?
• Would you like to leave any assets to charity?

2. Which assets should they inherit?

You may want to consider special questions when transferring certain types of assets. For example:

• If you own a business, should the stock pass only to your children who are active in the business? Should you compensate the others with assets of comparable value?
• If you own rental properties, should all beneficiaries inherit them? Do they all have the ability to manage property? What are the cash needs of each beneficiary?

3. When and how should they inherit the assets?

To determine when and how your beneficiaries should inherit your assets, you need to focus on three factors:

• The potential age and maturity of the beneficiaries,
• The financial needs of you and your spouse during your lifetimes, and
• The tax implications.

Outright bequests offer simplicity, flexibility and some tax advantages, but you have no control over what the recipient does with the assets once they’re transferred. Trusts can be useful when the beneficiaries are young or immature, when your estate is large, and for tax planning reasons. They also can provide the professional asset management capabilities an individual beneficiary lacks.

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Transferring Property at Death

You have three basic choices for transferring your assets on your death: the will, which is the standard method, the living trust, which is rapidly growing in popularity, and beneficiary designations, for assets such as life insurance and IRAs. If you die without either a will or a living trust, state intestate succession law controls the disposition of your property that doesn’t otherwise pass via “operation of law,” such as by beneficiary designation. And settling your estate likely will be more troublesome — and more costly.

The primary difference between a will and a living trust is that assets placed in your living trust, except in rare circumstances, avoid probate at your death. Neither the will nor the living trust document, in and of itself, reduces estate taxes — though both can be drafted to do this. Whether a will or a living trust is better for you depends on many personal factors. Let’s take a closer look at each vehicle.

Wills

If you choose just a will, your estate will most likely have to go through probate. Probate is a court-supervised process to protect the rights of creditors and beneficiaries and to ensure the orderly and timely transfer of assets. The probate process has six steps:

1. Notification of interested parties. Most states require disclosure of the estate’s approximate value as well as the names and addresses of interested parties. These include all beneficiaries named in the will, natural heirs and creditors.
2. Appointment of an executor. If you haven’t named an executor, the court will appoint one to oversee the estate’s liquidation and distribution.
3. Inventory of assets. Essentially, all assets you owned or controlled at the time of your death need to be accounted for.
4. Payment of claims. The type and length of notice required to establish a deadline for creditors to file their claims vary by state. If a creditor doesn’t file its claim on time, the claim generally is barred.
5. Filing of tax returns. This includes the individual’s final income taxes and the estate’s income taxes.
6. Distribution of residuary estate. After the estate has paid debts and taxes, the executor can distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries and close the estate.

Probate can be advantageous because it provides standardized procedures and court supervision. Also, the creditor claims limitation period is often shorter than for a living trust.

Living trusts

Because probate is time-consuming, potentially expensive and public, avoiding probate is a common estate planning goal. A living trust (also referred to as a revocable trust, declaration of trust or inter vivos trust) acts as a will substitute, providing instructions for the management of your assets, either during your life if you’ve funded the trust, or on your death. You’ll still also need to have a short will, often referred to as a “pour over” will.

How does a living trust work? You transfer assets into a trust for your own benefit during your lifetime. You can serve as trustee, select some other individual to serve, or select a professional trustee. In nearly every state, you’ll completely avoid probate if all of your assets are in the living trust when you die, or your assets are held in a manner that allows them to pass automatically by operation of law (for example, a joint bank account). The pour over will can specify how assets you didn’t transfer to your living trust during your life will be transferred at death.

Essentially, you retain the same control you had before you established the trust. Whether or not you serve as trustee, you retain the right to revoke the trust and appoint and remove trustees. If you name a professional trustee to manage trust assets, you can require the trustee to consult with you before buying or selling assets. The trust doesn’t need to file an income tax return until after you die. Instead, you pay the tax on any income the trust earns as if you had never created the trust.

A living trust offers additional benefits. First, your assets aren’t exposed to public record. Besides keeping your affairs private, this makes it more difficult for anyone to challenge the disposition of your estate. Second, a living trust can serve as a vehicle for managing your financial assets if you become mentally incapacitated or disabled. A properly drawn living trust avoids potentially  embarrassing guardianship proceedings and related costs, and it offers greater protection and control than a durable power of attorney because the trustee can manage trust assets for your benefit.

Who should draw up your will or living trust?

A lawyer! Don’t try to do it yourself. Estate and trust laws are much too complicated. You should seek competent legal advice before finalizing your estate plan. While you may want to use your financial advisor to formulate your estate plan, wills and trusts are legal documents. Only an attorney who specializes in estate matters should draft them.

Selecting an executor or trustee

Whether you choose a will or a living trust, you also need to select someone to administer the disposition of your estate — an executor or personal representative and, if you have a living trust, a trustee. An individual (such as a family member, a friend or a professional advisor) or an institution (such as a bank or trust company) can serve in these capacities. (See Planning Tip 3.) Many people name both an individual and an institution to leverage their collective expertise.

What does the executor or personal representative do? He or she serves after your death and has several major responsibilities, including:

• Administering your estate and distributing the assets to your beneficiaries,
• Making certain tax decisions,
• Paying any estate debts or expenses,
• Ensuring all life insurance and retirement plan benefits are received, and
• Filing the necessary tax returns and paying the appropriate federal and state taxes.

Whatever your choice, make sure the executor, personal representative or trustee is willing to serve. Also consider paying a reasonable fee for the services. The job isn’t easy, and not everyone will want or accept the responsibility. Provide for an alternate in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to perform. Naming a spouse, child or other relative to act as executor is common, and he or she certainly can hire any professional assistance needed.

Finally, make sure the executor, personal representative or trustee doesn’t have a conflict of interest. For example, think twice about choosing a second spouse, children from a prior marriage, or an individual who owns part of your business. A co-owner’s personal goals regarding the business may differ from those of your family, and the desires of a stepparent and stepchildren may conflict.

Selecting a guardian for your children

If you have minor children, perhaps the most important element of your estate plan doesn’t involve your assets. Rather, it involves who will be your children’s guardian. Of course, the well-being of your children is your priority, but there are some financial issues to consider:

• Will the guardian be capable of managing your children’s assets?
• Will the guardian be financially strong? If not, consider compensation.
• Will the guardian’s home accommodate your children?
• How will the guardian determine your children’s living costs?

If you prefer, you can name separate guardians for your child and his or her assets. Taking the time to name a guardian or guardians now ensures your children will be cared for as you wish if you die while they’re still minors.

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Other Facts About Estate Settlement

You also should be aware of the other procedures involved in estate settlement. Here’s a quick review of some of them. Your attorney, as well as the organizations mentioned, can provide more details.

Transferring property

When thinking about transferring your property, what probably first comes to mind are large assets, such as stock, real estate and business interests. But you also need to consider more basic assets:

Safe deposit box contents. In most states, the bank seals the box as soon as it learns of the death and opens it only in the presence of the estate’s personal representative.

Savings bonds. The surviving spouse can immediately cash in jointly owned E bonds. To cash in H and E bonds registered in the deceased’s name but payable on death to the surviving spouse, they must be sent to the Federal Reserve.

Receiving benefits

The surviving spouse or other beneficiaries may be eligible for any of the following:

Social Security benefits. For the surviving spouse to qualify, the deceased must have been age 60 or older or their children must be under age 16. Disabled spouses can usually collect at an earlier age. Surviving children can also get benefits.

Employee benefits. The deceased may have insurance, back pay, unused vacation pay, and pension funds the surviving spouse or beneficiaries are entitled to. The employer will have the specifics.

Insurance they may not know about. Many organizations provide life insurance as part of their membership fee. They should be able to provide information.

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Determining Potential Estate Taxes

The next step is to get an idea of what your estate is worth and whether you need to worry about estate taxes.

How much is your estate worth? Begin by listing all of your assets and their value, including cash, stocks and bonds, notes and mortgages, annuities, retirement benefits, your personal residence, other real estate, partnership interests, life insurance, automobiles, artwork, jewelry, and collectibles. If you’re married, prepare a similar list for your spouse’s assets. And be careful to review how you title the assets, to include them correctly in each spouse’s list.

If you own an insurance policy at the time of your death, the proceeds on that policy usually will be includible in your estate. Remember: That’s proceeds. Your $1 million term insurance policy that isn’t worth much while you’re alive is suddenly worth $1 million on your death. If your estate is large enough, a significant share of those proceeds may go to the government as taxes, not to your chosen beneficiaries.

How the estate tax system works

Here’s a simplified way to compute your estate tax exposure. Take the value of your estate, net of any debts. Also subtract any assets that will pass to charity on your death — such transfers are deductions for your estate. Then if you are married and your spouse is a U.S. citizen, subtract any assets you’ll pass to him or her. Those assets qualify for the marital deduction and avoid estate taxes until the surviving spouse dies. (If you’re single or your spouse isn’t a U.S. citizen, see “Special Strategies for Special Situations” for more information.) The net number represents your taxable estate.

When the estate tax is in effect, you can transfer up to the exemption amount at death free of estate taxes. (See Chart 1.) So if your taxable estate is equal to or less than the exemption available in the year of your death and you haven’t already used any of the
exemption on lifetime gifts, no federal estate tax will be due when you die. But if your taxable estate exceeds this amount, it will be
subject to estate tax.

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