Estate planning for couples is a great topic for you and your partner this Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s Day is not just about chocolates and roses; it’s also a perfect time for couples to consider building a lasting legacy together through estate planning. While conversations about wills and trusts might not seem romantic, they are crucial for ensuring your loved one’s future security and peace of mind.

Estate Planning for Couples at Any Stage

Here are some essential estate planning tips for couples at any stage of their relationship:

Start the Conversation: Sit down together and discuss your financial goals, priorities, and concerns. Open communication is key to creating a comprehensive estate plan that reflects both partners’ wishes.

Create or Update Your Will: A will is the cornerstone of any estate plan. It allows you to specify how your assets will be distributed upon your death and who will take care of any minor children. If you already have a will, make sure to review and update it periodically, especially after major life events like marriage, the birth of a child, or divorce.

Establish Trusts: Trusts can provide added flexibility and control over the distribution of your assets while avoiding probate and minimizing estate taxes. Consider setting up trusts to protect your assets and ensure they are used according to your wishes.

Designate Beneficiaries: Review and update beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other assets to ensure they align with your current estate plan. Keep in mind that beneficiary designations supersede instructions in your will, so it’s essential to keep them up to date.

Plan for Incapacity: Prepare for the unexpected by establishing powers of attorney for financial and healthcare decisions. These documents allow your partner to make important decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated and unable to communicate your wishes.

Protect Your Digital Legacy: In today’s digital age, it’s essential to consider what will happen to your online accounts and digital assets after your death. Make a list of your accounts and passwords and consider appointing a digital executor to manage your digital assets.

Seek Professional Guidance: Estate planning laws can be complex and vary by state, so it’s crucial to seek guidance from a qualified estate planning attorney. They can help you navigate the legal requirements and develop a personalized plan that meets your unique needs and goals.

By taking the time to discuss and plan your estate together, you can ensure that your loved ones are provided for and your legacy continues for generations to come. This Valentine’s Day, have the most important conversation you can have and protect your future.

Disclaimer: This article is intended to serve as a general summary of the issues outlined therein. While this article may include general guidance, it is not intended as, nor is a substitute for, qualified legal advice. Your review or receipt of this article by Lexern Law Offices, Ltd. (the “LLG”) or any of its attorneys does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the LLG. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors of the article and does not reflect the opinion of the LLG.

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Mr. Feldman believes that communication is the key to any successful relationship with his clients. Encouraging open communication and being easily available to answer clients’ questions has allowed him to build long-term partnerships and trust with his clients. Importantly, Mr. Feldman spends significant…

Mr. Feldman believes that communication is the key to any successful relationship with his clients. Encouraging open communication and being easily available to answer clients’ questions has allowed him to build long-term partnerships and trust with his clients. Importantly, Mr. Feldman spends significant time and effort educating his clients on estate planning options and various business opportunities and associated risks, encouraging them to take a proactive approach to their future and the preservation of their legacies.

Mr. Feldman has been providing professional services to sophisticated clients at some of the largest accounting and law firms and through Lexern Law Group, which he founded in 2010. Mr. Feldman and his wife, Irina, have been married for over seventeen years and have four children. In his free time, Mr. Feldman enjoys traveling, practicing martial arts, and riding his motorcycle.