Our Services:

Estate Planning

You have worked hard to accumulate your assets. Without a comprehensive estate plan, a significant part of the fruits of your labour can be lost (through unnecessary taxes and fees) or given to unintended beneficiaries.

Estate planning is an ongoing process and should be started as soon as one has any measurable asset base. Over time life goals and situations can change so the estate plan should move in line with changes in circumstances and objectives. Lack of adequate estate planning can cause undue financial burdens and stress to loved ones so, at the very least, a Will should be established no matter what the size of the estate. Not having a will means that on death the distribution of your assets will be dictated by the inheritance laws of where you were domiciled when you died.

Certain aspects of estate planning can be complex in nature so getting professional advice is very important and can help avoid a lot of unnecessary stress and costs in the future.

We can help you in the following areas:

• Ensure your assets transfer to your chosen beneficiaries and not to the state.
• Clearly outline each of your assets and ensure that they will transfer to your desired beneficiaries in the easiest and most cost-efficient way possible. In some cases this may even involve the use of trusts.
• Help identify who is responsible for different tasks for your estate such as the Executor, the Guardian (to any children) and the Trustee (if applicable).
• Work with you in making sure that all of your estate-planning documents are up-to-date, including your will, power of attorney, and living will. Without these documents, the state will make your decisions for you and at considerable expense to your estate.
• Estimate the tax liabilities associated with your death.
• Create a plan tailored to your requirements to help minimise or potentially eliminate the taxes involved in passing your estate to your chosen beneficiaries.
• If necessary, protect your beneficiaries from the dangers of receiving wealth at an inappropriate time in their lives.
• Explore the potential benefits and opportunities of extracting of assets from your business. It may make sense to transfer assets earlier than you might think.
• Help put in place the necessary investment and governance system to manage the family wealth after your demise.
• Assist in managing the wind up of the assets of your estate.