Estate Planning

Winning the investment game only to lose over half of your estate to taxes and other settlement costs doesn't have to happen.  We help our pilot clients keep what they have worked a lifetime to put together.  Our proactive consulting approach will help you determine:

• What is my estate transfer tax liability?
• Do my current estate documents achieve my goals?
• Which strategies should I consider to lower my taxes and enhance my estate?
• How can my IRA be structured to continue to grow tax-deferred over my children's lifetime? 

Much of financial planning during life has to do with acquiring and preserving financial resources for family and heirs.  Estate planning is concerned with the most effective and economical distribution of these resources at life's end.  An effective estate plan can help you avoid the costs and notoriety of probate.  Proper estate planning reduces problems or burdens associated with estate settlement for the heirs.

One of the benefits of an association with Cleary Gull will be the advice and consultation you will receive in developing your estate plan to include the following:

• Ownership of assets
• Beneficiary designations
• Selection of guardians, personal representatives and trustees
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Living Wills
• Tax saving opportunities

As the size of your estate increases, you will likely consult a competent estate planning attorney.  We can help streamline that process by helping you identify your wealth transfer objectives before you meet with your attorney.  We can also work with your attorney to make the most efficient use of his or her time.