The Keys of Estate Planning
Aquanetta J. Betts, J.D.
7
E-‐Book
Introduc+on Page 3 The 7 Keys of Estate Planning: 1. Check Your Beneficiary Designa+ons – Life Insurance Policies. Page 4 2. Update Other Beneficiary Designa+ons. Page 5 3. Get Estate Planning Documents. Page 6 4. Set up a Trust, if Needed. Page 7
5. Remember -‐ Life Changes. Page 8 6. Communicate With Family and Loved Ones. Page 9 7. Put Your Health Care Treatment Preferences and Wishes in Wri+ng. Page 10 Bonus Key Page 11 _____ Extra item included in this E-‐Book: Cer+ficate of Congratula+ons for viewing The 7 Keys of Estate Planning(full size suitable for framing)
The 7 Keys of Estate Planning
2 The 7 Keys of Estate Planning Copyright 2015 Aquanetta J. Betts, J.D. All rights reserved. www.abettslaw.com
Table of Contents
Introduc+on
The 7 Keys of Estate Planning Copyright 2015 Aquanetta J. Betts, J.D. All rights reserved. www.abettslaw.com
3
About the Author… Aquane*a J. Be*s is an a*orney, speaker and blogger. She spends her <me working with individuals, businesses and nonprofit organiza<ons helping them to create estate plans, business succession plans and charitable giving strategies. It is her hope that the informa<on in this E-‐Book -‐ The 7 Keys of Estate Planning, will inspire and mo<vate you to get some planning done. Aquane*a J. Be*s is licensed to prac<ce law in the District of Columbia and Maryland.
Check Your Beneficiary Designa+ons: • Life Insurance Policies – ensure that the names of beneficiaries (individuals or chari<es) are valid and reflect your wishes.
1.
4 The 7 Keys of Estate Planning Copyright 2015 Aquanetta J. Betts, J.D. All rights reserved. www.abettslaw.com
Update Other Beneficiary Designa+ons: ü Re+rement Accounts (401ks)
ü Bank Accounts ü Employee Benefits (HR Department)
2.
5 The 7 Keys of Estate Planning Copyright 2015 Aquanetta J. Betts, J.D. All rights reserved. www.abettslaw.com
Get Estate Planning Documents: • Will • Financial Power of A]orney
• Health Care Advance Direc+ve (with Living Will)
3.
6 The 7 Keys of Estate Planning Copyright 2015 Aquanetta J. Betts, J.D. All rights reserved. www.abettslaw.com
Set up a Trust, (if needed): • Spouse or Children/Grandchildren
• Monitor and Protect Assets
• Special Needs • Medicaid Planning
4.
7 The 7 Keys of Estate Planning Copyright 2015 Aquanetta J. Betts, J.D. All rights reserved. www.abettslaw.com
Remember -‐ Life Changes – and so should your Estate Plan. Here are some items to consider: • Marriage • Birth • Divorce • Death • Assets (Purchase/Sell) • Health
5.
8 The 7 Keys of Estate Planning Copyright 2015 Aquanetta J. Betts, J.D. All rights reserved. www.abettslaw.com
Communicate With Family and Loved Ones. Find a trusted individual: • Inform him/her about your estate plan. – Where are your important documents?
– Who to contact in case of an emergency?
6.
The 7 Keys of Estate Planning Copyright 2015 Aquanetta J. Betts, J.D. All rights reserved. www.abettslaw.com 9
Put Your Health Care Treatment Preferences and Wishes in Wri+ng -‐ With an Advance Direc<ve
7.
10 The 7 Keys of Estate Planning Copyright 2015 Aquanetta J. Betts, J.D. All rights reserved. www.abettslaw.com
Ask Ques+ons, and Get Help From an Estate Planning A]orney.
Bonus Key
11 The 7 Keys of Estate Planning Copyright 2015 Aquanetta J. Betts, J.D. All rights reserved. www.abettslaw.com
The Keys of Estate Planning
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© Copyright 2015 Aquane*a J. Be*s, J.D. All rights reserved. www.abe]slaw.com
____________________________________________________________ for
viewing The 7 Keys of Estate Planning
on
This ____________ day of __________________________, 20 _______.
Congratulations to
The Keys of Estate Planning
Law Office of Aquane]a J. Be]s, LLC 10451 Mill Run Circle Suite 400 Owings Mills, MD 21117 (410) 701-‐0127 Website: www.abe*slaw.com Blog: www.abe*slawblog.com
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The 7 Keys of Estate Planning © Copyright 2015 Aquane]a J. Be]s, J.D. All rights reserved. This E-‐Book has been adapted from the original presenta+on format of The 7 Keys of Estate Planning authored in October 2015. This informa+on is for informa+onal purposes only. No legal advice has been provided, and no a]orney/client rela+onship has been formed un+l a Retainer Agreement has been signed. Law Office of Aquane]a J. Be]s – a]orney licensed in the District of Columbia and Maryland.
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