Estate planning pyramid to ensure the best estate plan
Estate planning is the legal structuring of current and projected assets for future disposition. The process assures estate holders that all their assets and properties would be in safe hands after their demise, only to benefit their families and loved ones. A mulled-over estate plan helps a person to minimize taxes imposed on all the assets after his or her death. Additional advantages brought to the table by an efficient estate plan includes providing benefits for survivors and determining the flow of assets. The estate planning pyramid is to ensure you have an effective estate plan in place. Estate planning pyramid The estate planning pyramid, consisting of six distinct levels, aids in developing a precise estate plan. Each level in the estate planning pyramid addresses a different necessity. Level 1 Aimed at providing basic protections, the first level is ideal for singles with few assets and no successors. A typical level 1 estate planning pyramid includes: Anatomical gift instrument – This allows a hospital, charity or a non-profit organization to use organs and other body parts. Health care proxy, a.k.a. medical directives, or medical powers of attorney – It allows the appointment of people who can make health care decisions when the person is not capable of doing so himself.