Selecting the Best Estate Planning Strategies

1. Selecting the Best Estate Planning Strategies Presented by: <<Company Name>>

2. Agenda • Estate planning basics • Estate tax saving strategies • Implementing and updating your plan [Insert your logo here]

3. Estate planning basics Fundamental questions

4. 1. Who should inherit your assets? • If married, consider marital rights under state law • In some states, if the amount your will or trust leaves to your spouse is less than the law deems appropriate, the survivor can elect to receive the greater amount • Then consider: • 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? If you live in a community property state or your estate includes community property, consider the impact on your estate planning. [Insert your logo here]

5. 2. Which assets should they inherit? • If you own a business • Should the stock pass only to your children who are active in it? • 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? [Insert your logo here]

6. 3. When and how should they inherit the assets? Focus on the: • Potential age and maturity of the beneficiaries • Your and your spouse’s financial needs during your lifetimes • Tax implications of different transfer strategies [Insert your logo here]

7. Outright bequests vs. trusts • Outright bequests offer simplicity, flexibility and tax advantages • Downside: no control over transferred assets • Trusts are helpful: • When beneficiaries are young or lack management capabilities • For tax planning reasons [Insert your logo here]

8. Estate planning basics Transferring property at death

9. Choices for transferring assets • A will • Standard method • A living trust • Offers some advantages over a will • Beneficiary designations • For assets such as life insurance and IRAs If you die without a will or living trust, state intestate succession law controls disposition of your property that doesn’t otherwise pass via “operation of law,” such as by beneficiary designation. [Insert your logo here]

10. With a will: • Estate goes through probate • Protects rights of creditors and beneficiaries • Ensures orderly and timely asset transfers • Provides standardized procedures and court supervision • Has shorter creditor claims limitation period [Insert your logo here]