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Home : Planning Your Finances : Estate Planning
What You Need To Know About Estate Planning
If you want to ensure that the assets you've worked so hard to accumulate are passed on to those
you love, you need to plan ahead.
There are a number of products and strategies that can help to preserve your assets. Proper estate
planning can effectively match the right strategies to your individual goals. And as you move through
various stages of life, you'll need to occasionally reassess your estate plans to ensure that they
continue to meet your objectives.
The articles below provide important planning information to help you protect the legacy you and
your family have worked so hard to build.
How Will You Be Remembered?
With proper planning you can leave your mark on generations to come. It’s called a legacy.
What You Need to Know About Recent Estate Tax Law Changes
Get answers to frequently asked questions about how recent changes in the estate tax laws affect you and your family.
Will You Owe Estate Taxes?
Find out where you stand. Use the Estate Tax Calculator to determine what you may owe.
You’ve Gotta Start Somewhere
From trusts to funeral plans, we'll tell you what you need to consider when planning your estate.
Closing Down the Estate
Four important steps you need to consider after the loss of a loved one.
The Grandparent Tax
Planning to leave any part of your estate to your grandchildren? What you need to know about the generation skipping transfer tax.
Charitable Trusts
Donating appreciated stock to charity can be good for you, too. Here's how to get a tax break, an income stream and benefit your charity of choice.
Check Your Life Insurance
Unless you plan properly, Uncle Sam is going to be the major beneficiary of your policy. We think you can find a better recipient.
Passing Your Home to Loved Ones
It's not as easy as clearing out of the master bedroom. But if you do it right, the transition can be tax-free.
Start Giving It Away Early
Giving now will reduce your taxable estate and let you enjoy the fruits of your gift-giving.
Good Will Hunting
No matter how big your estate, you should have a will. Creating a simple one doesn't have to cost more than $75.
Consult with your financial advisor and your Transamerica
representative to determine the proper amount of life insurance and type of policy needed for your estate.
SmartMoney prepared the information provided. SmartMoney is not associated with Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company ("Transamerica") or
any of its affiliates. While Transamerica provides this material as a service to the consumer, Transamerica does not guarantee its accuracy, nor does
Transamerica give tax or legal advice. Clients and prospects must consults with and rely solely upon their own independent advisors regarding their
particular situation and the concepts presented here.
SmartMoney.com © 2005 SmartMoney. SmartMoney is a joint publishing venture of Dow Jones and Company, Inc. and Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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