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Avoid These Common Estate Planning Mistakes

August 9, 2022

Most of us don’t enjoy thinking about it, but we all need to make a plan for our assets (and other final wishes) after we pass away. But because estate planning can often involve complicated legal maneuvers, it can be easy to miss something important. Save your loved ones a lot of time, money, and stress by watching out for these common estate planning mistakes. 


The DIY approach. Nope, you shouldn’t just write out your own final wishes and hope that your loved ones will abide by them. These situations actually tend to invite legal challenges, and that can be costly for your beneficiaries who need to defend their right to what you bequeathed to them. It’s better to consult an attorney and draft a more airtight version of your final wishes. 


Failing to name beneficiaries. Many types of financial assets, such as retirement accounts and life insurance policies, allow you to name one or more beneficiaries. This way, the assets can be transferred very quickly after your death, allowing them to bypass the time and stress of probate court. But that can’t happen if you don’t name beneficiaries, along with backup beneficiaries just in case. 


Leaving it up to your spouse. If you’ve divorced the other parent of your children and subsequently remarried, you might hope that your new spouse will leave everything to your children after you both die. But if you pass away first, there is nothing stopping them from changing beneficiaries on accounts or making other decisions that are contrary to your original wishes. 


Leaving a timeshare to your kids (or anyone, unless you’re certain they want it). If you include your timeshare as an asset in a trust, it will be automatically transferred to your beneficiaries upon your death. The problem is, not everyone wants to be saddled with the expense and hassles of a timeshare! Instead, allow your death to serve as an “opt out” on the property. That way, no one inherits something that they regret. 


Overlooking the value of a trust. Trusts are such a valuable estate planning tool, because you can place assets in them for immediate transfer to your heirs upon your death. That means no waiting through probate court, no fighting over assets, and often lower fees from your estate planning attorney. There can be tax benefits from doing things this way, too. 


Because estate planning dovetails with your overall financial future, we can also help you make decisions in this area. Let’s discuss your plans at our next appointment, so that we can help you avoid any potential pitfalls. 

Using Life Insurance to Protect Your Business: Key Strategies for Business Owners

February 11, 2025
As a business owner, safeguarding your enterprise against unforeseen events is crucial for long-term success. Life insurance offers several strategies to protect your business, ensure continuity, and provide financial stability during challenging times. Two primary methods are buy-sell agreements and key person insurance. Buy-Sell Agreements A buy-sell agreement is a legally binding contract that outlines the procedure for transferring ownership if an owner departs due to death, disability, or retirement. Funding this agreement with life insurance ensures a smooth transition and financial security for the remaining owners and the departing owner's beneficiaries. Types of Buy-Sell Agreements Cross-Purchase Agreement: Each owner purchases a life insurance policy on the other owners. Upon an owner's death, the surviving owners use the policy proceeds to buy the deceased owner's share. This method is often suitable for businesses with a few owners. Entity Purchase Agreement: The business itself owns life insurance policies on each owner. If an owner passes away, the business uses the proceeds to buy back the deceased owner's share, redistributing it among the remaining owners. This approach is typically preferred for businesses with multiple owners. Key Person Insurance Key person insurance is a policy that a business takes out on essential employees whose loss could significantly impact operations. The business owns the policy, pays the premiums, and is the beneficiary. If a key person dies or becomes disabled, the policy proceeds can be used to: Cover the costs of finding and training a replacement. Offset lost revenue resulting from the key person's absence. Reassure clients, creditors, and investors of the business's stability. This strategy is vital for businesses where certain individuals are integral to success, such as top executives, lead developers, or primary sales personnel. Additional Strategies Beyond buy-sell agreements and key person insurance, consider these life insurance strategies: Collateral Assignment: Use a life insurance policy as collateral for business loans. In the event of the owner's death, the lender is paid from the policy proceeds, preventing financial strain on the business. Executive Bonus Plans: Provide key employees with life insurance policies as part of their compensation package. This not only offers them personal financial protection but also serves as an incentive for retention. Deferred Compensation Plans: Promise to pay key employees a certain amount at retirement, funded through life insurance policies. This ensures the business can meet its obligations without affecting cash flow. Implementing life insurance strategies is essential for business owners aiming to protect their enterprises from unforeseen events. Work with us to explore your life insurance options and we can help your business remain resilient and continue to thrive.

What Happens If You Outlive Your Term Life Insurance?

February 1, 2025
Term life insurance provides coverage for a specified period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. If you outlive your term policy, the coverage ends, and no death benefit is paid to your beneficiaries. As you approach the end of your term, it's essential to evaluate your current financial situation and consider options to maintain life insurance coverage if needed. Options to Consider Annual Renewable Term: Some term policies offer an option to renew annually after the initial term expires. While this allows you to extend coverage without a medical exam, premiums typically increase each year based on your age, making it a potentially costly option over time. PROGRESSIVE.COM Policy Conversion: Term-to-Permanent Conversion: Many term policies include a conversion feature, allowing you to convert your term policy into a permanent life insurance policy, such as whole or universal life, without undergoing a medical examination. This option can provide lifelong coverage and build cash value, but premiums will be higher than those of the original term policy. NEWYORKLIFE.COM Purchasing a New Policy New Term Policy: Applying for a new term life insurance policy can be an option, especially if you're still in good health. However, premiums will be higher due to increased age, and you may need to undergo a medical exam. Permanent Life Insurance: Alternatively, you might consider purchasing a permanent life insurance policy, which provides lifelong coverage and accumulates cash value. This option is generally more expensive but offers additional benefits. Exploring Alternative Coverage: Final Expense Insurance: Designed to cover end-of-life expenses, such as funeral costs and medical bills, final expense insurance offers a smaller death benefit with more affordable premiums and may not require a medical exam. Guaranteed Universal Life Insurance: This type of policy provides coverage for a specified age (e.g., up to age 90 or 100) with lower premiums compared to whole life insurance, focusing primarily on the death benefit without significant cash value accumulation. Take Action Now As your term life insurance policy nears its expiration, assess your current financial needs and health status to determine the most suitable course of action. Consulting with an insurance professional can help you navigate your options and select the best solution to ensure continued financial protection for your loved ones.
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