Estate Planning Services
It may not be much fun thinking about what happens to your estate when you’re gone, but make no mistake about it – estate planning is one of the most important decisions you can make when you’re still alive.
And, no, it’s not just for the rich.
Even today, a few people still think that that you only need estate planning if you own multiple properties or major businesses, and have millions of dollars in your bank accounts.
Estate planning services cover a lot more, including instructions for passing your values (religious, education, and hard work) as well as who cares for your minor children and therefore can benefit every adult.
Clearwater CPA, Kristina Helferty, thanks to her extensive knowledge and 20 years’ worth of experience, now provides accessible estate planning services in Florida.
What’s Estate Planning?
Estate planning is the process of setting up a clear set of guidelines on how you want your property and assets to be managed in the event of your incapacitation or death. It’s primarily designed to protect your family and the people who care about you, as well as your cherished social causes, including charities.
It’s important to mention that a will doesn’t equate to estate planning. It can be part of the bigger strategy, but estate planning covers a lot more, including;
- Tax planning
- Trust provisions
- Probate avoidance
- Disability medication
- Designating IRA beneficiaries
Who Needs Estate Planning?
Every individual would benefit from estate planning, regardless of the value of your properties or the existence of beneficiaries. Of course, planning becomes even more important if you have a family and loved ones.
For individuals with a smaller asset base, the process can help you designate beneficiaries, distribute your assets, and plan debt repayment. High-net individuals, meanwhile, may be able to preserve their assets and minimize taxes among others.
Benefits of Estate Planning Services
- It protects your beneficiaries
- It protects minors
- It spares heirs a big tax bite
- It eliminates family conflict
What happens if you don’t plan?
You may be tempted to avoid or put on hold estate planning because you feel you’re not rich enough, old enough, or perhaps because you feel there’s still plenty of time. Beware of the following consequences;
- At disability: If your name is not on the title of your assets and you become incapacitated due to a physical or mental injury, the court, not your family will control how your assets are managed.
- At your death: Your assets will be distributed according to your state’s probate laws, without caring for your wishes or whom you’d have wanted to make decisions on your behalf.
Our Estate Planning Services
Kristina Helferty has partnered with a Certified Estate Planning Specialist with decades of experience in this area to offer the best estate planning services in Clearwater, Florida. Our office also engages respected professionals, such as attorneys and certified financial planners, to help you make the best decisions.
Our services include;
- Planning to achieve financial goals
- Planning for disabilities
- Wealth transfer at death
- Evaluation of trust needs
- Personal representation
- Court accounting for probate
- Consultation with attorneys
How to Get Started
The best time to start estate planning is now, and Kristina is ready to help. Feel free to visit our offices along 140th Avenue N, Clearwater. Alternatively, fill our contact page or call us at (727) 310-2000.