While it’s not something anyone likes to think about, planning your estate may make things a little easier for your family and friends later.
Your ‘estate’ includes everything you own – your ‘earthly possessions’, if you will. It can include for example cash, property, cars, boats, furniture, jewellery, family heirlooms, art, shares and more.
This is where you decide what will happen to your belongings after you pass away. By leaving a clear set of ‘instructions’, you help make sure that the people you care most about aren’t faced with any unnecessary conflict or uncertainty.
Even if you don’t have much money or property, planning your estate is the best way to make sure that special belongings go to the people who will treasure them. Often, it’s these items that matter most.
Your assets get passed on to beneficiaries that you choose. If you pass away without a valid will (and in turn, without a valid estate plan) you’re considered to have ‘died intestate’ and your assets get distributed according to your state’s inheritance laws—not your wishes
If you leave kids behind, you decide who cares for them and how—not the courts
You minimise the tax your beneficiaries may pay when they inherit your assets
You reduce the risk of conflict between family and friends when you pass away.
Your will is a legal document that’s part of your estate plan. It outlines how you want your estate to be managed and how you want your assets to be distributed when you pass away.
If you have a fairly straightforward estate and know how you’d like to distribute it, you can easily write your will yourself. It’s as simple as buying a will pack from Australia Post and select news agencies, or downloading it online.
For more complicated estates, it might be a good idea to get advice from a solicitor or the Public Trustee. You can then appoint them to be your executor.
Your will should:
clearly identify your beneficiaries
clearly identify your executor
have the right date on it
be signed correctly
be witnessed correctly
list exactly how you want your estate to be distributed to your beneficiaries (including any plans if they pass away before you)
be up to date.
Life is never predictable, so it’s a good idea to update your estate plan when things change.
You get married
You get divorced
You have kids
Your partner, dependant or loved one passes away
You experience financial hardship.
Organising life insurance and a funeral plan can make things easier for your family later. Learn the ins and outs of life insurance, or find out about estate planning in more detail with ASIC’s Moneysmart guide.
Person(s), usually named in the will, who receive money or assets after the death of your family member or friend.
Person(s) chosen in the will to make sure all things noted in the will are distributed as per your family member or friend’s request.
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Reproduced with permission of National Australia Bank (‘NAB’). This article was original published at https://www.nab.com.au/personal/life-moments/unplanned/losing-loved-ones/will#glossary-1
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