What Are The Components of an Estate Plan?
What is an Estate Plan? The dictionary definition of an estate plan is “the arranging for the disposition and management of one’s estate at death through the use of wills, trusts, insurance policies, and other devices.” All adults should have a plan for their estates, and as we age the importance of estate planning increases. People often avoid dealing with estate plans because thinking about end-of-life decisions can be uncomfortable. Some people believe that estate planning is only for wealthy people. Although thinking about end-of-life decisions may be difficult, it is very important, and the level of one’s wealth has nothing to do with the need for an estate plan. What is Included in an Estate Plan? An “estate” is all of the property you own individually, or jointly if married. This includes bank and investment accounts, real estate, jewelry, vehicles, family heirlooms, and any other items of value. An