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Estate Planning. Annie’s Project February 6, 2007 Coweta Oklahoma. Estate Planning - Introduction. A single correct answer does not exist. No perfect solution exists Laws change Family situations change Must evaluate the good points and bad points of each estate planning tool.
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Estate Planning Annie’s Project February 6, 2007 Coweta Oklahoma
Estate Planning - Introduction • A single correct answer does not exist. • No perfect solution exists • Laws change • Family situations change • Must evaluate the good points and bad points of each estate planning tool. • The ultimate decision of what to do is yours.
Estate Planning -- Objectives • Provide sufficient income to live comfortably and take care of emergencies. • Make sure assets go to those you want to receive them. • Minimize estate settlement costs.
Estate Planning - Things to Keep in Mind • Keep it simple • Maintain flexibility to change your plans • Be sure to take care of yourself first • You worked hard to accumulate your estate, so enjoy it.
Your Estate • Everything you own at the time of your death. Real Estate Personal Property Investments Business Interests Savings Accounts Survivor Pension Benefits Life Insurance Proceeds
Gross Estate Appraised at Market Price • Total real and personal property • Full value of property owned in joint tenancy except that owned with spouse • One-half value joint tenancy with spouse • Insurance owned or controlled by decedent • Taxable portion of gifts included in tax base
Taxable Estate Gross Estate = Value of All Property Owned Less Allowable Deductions
Federal Allowable Deductions • Unified tax credit • Marital deduction - unlimited • Transfers to exempt charitable, religious, and similar institutions • Claims against estate, administration costs, funeral expenses, etc.
Determining Basis of Property • Purchased Property - purchase price, plus capital improvements, less depreciation. • Gifts - Same as DONOR’S basis PLUS portion of any GIFT TAX paid. • Inherited Property - DECEDENT’S BASIS • Usually appraised • Value for Estate Tax Purposes
Estate and Gift Tax Rules • Federal • Unified Credit • 2007 & 2008 - Can Transfer $2,000,000 • 2009 - $3,500,000 • 2010 - Estate Tax Repealed • 2011 & beyond - $1,000,000 (revert back to 2002 rules) • 100% Marital Deduction • Annual Gift Tax Exclusion • $12,000 ($24,000 for Couple using gift splitting)
Estate and Gift Tax Rules Oklahoma • Unified Credit • 2007 - Can Transfer $1,000,000 • 2008 - $2,000,000 • 2009 - $3,000,000 • 2010 & beyond – Estate Tax Repealed • No Gift Tax (3 year contemplation of death rule still applies)
Oklahoma Allowable Deduction • $1,000,000 to lineal and collateral heirs as of 1/1/07 • $1,000 burial lot or crypt • $500 monument • Debts of the estate, attorneys fees and others
Property Transfer • Oklahoma law of descent • Will • Revocable living trust • Irrevocable living trust
Wills -- Advantages • Leaves control with owner until death. • Can be changed easily. • May select executor. • May have executor serve without bond. • May name guardian (recommendation). • Covers all property not held in joint tenancy except insurance.
A Living Trust Is... The convenient way to pass your estate to your heirs eliminating the stress and financial burden of lawyers, courts, or the probate system.
Purpose • Avoid probate • Avoid guardianship • Help to reduce estate taxes • Reduce the emotional burden on loved ones by reducing estate settlement time and expenses
Other Important Estate Planning Documents • Durable financial power of attorney • Durable health care power of attorney • Living will
General Principles and Conclusions • All parents should retain enough assets to live comfortably and take care of any emergencies. • Not only is the best estate plan different for each family, but the best plan may change with changes in the estate or family. • Consult with a qualified estate planner.
Conclusion Not one correct answer Things change: • Be aware of Oklahoma & Federal Estate Taxes • We don’t want to subject Estate to taxes more than once • If we have done a good job of Estate Planning, we will minimize estate settlement costs.
Conclusion Estate Taxes and Probate • Be sure to take care of yourself first. • Don’t run out of money or property. • Make sure you make up your own mind and you feel comfortable with your decision. • Realize you will want to change your mind at some point in the future, so keep things flexible.
References • F-771 Trusts: Uses and Considerations • F-773 Probate • F-782 Wills: Uses and Considerations
Homework Assignment Determine if you have an Estate Plan and review the document(s).