National Estate Planning Awareness Week

October 17–23, 2022 was National Estate Planning Awareness Week. The purpose of this annual event is to help educate the public about what estate planning is, and why it is so important to their financial wellbeing and to the wellbeing of their families after we’re gone.    

Only four in 10 U.S. adults have estate planning documents, such as a will or living trust. You may know neighbors, community members or family members that have died without a will or other planning documents, and the family is left in disarray. Without a blueprint of how assets are distributed, the deceased’s wishes may not be followed. A court appointed executor may not be aware of the significance of a family heirloom or your intent to donate to your alma mater.  

Regardless of the size of your estate, having an estate plan can clarify your wishes and ensure that they are followed. For example, estate planning tools could address issues such as:

• Designating who will receive specific assets after your death, including business interests, pieces of real estate, family heirlooms, or other items with special meaning to your family.
• Specifying when assets will be received, which may be important to you if you have children who are minors or are otherwise not capable of managing sudden wealth.
• Naming the individuals who you would entrust to raise your children or handle their finances for them.
• Authorizing a trusted person to manage your financial matters if you become unable to do so yourself.
• Appointing a health care agent to make medical decisions for you if you can’t make them yourself.
• Helping to minimize taxes and settlement costs.

If you are a business owner, you have additional decisions to make. A properly drafted estate plan can help to ensure your business transfers according to your wishes at your death, disability, or retirement. Whether you plan to gift your business to your children, sell your share to your business partners when you retire, or sell to a third‐party buyer or key employee, a plan crafted by your attorney with appropriate legal documentation is instrumental to helping plan for a smooth and effective transition. 

Don’t jeopardize your family’s financial future or create unnecessary difficulties by not having an estate plan. If you already have a plan in place, make sure it is up to date and continues to reflect your wishes. Not sure where to start? An attorney who specializes in estate and business succession can meet with you to discuss a wide range of planning options and help you develop a plan that fits your needs. Talk to your Federated® marketing representative for a referral to a member of Federated’s network of independent attorneys.