{"id":323,"date":"2018-11-28T18:17:47","date_gmt":"2018-11-28T18:17:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=323"},"modified":"2018-11-28T18:18:28","modified_gmt":"2018-11-28T18:18:28","slug":"estate-planning","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/chapter\/estate-planning\/","title":{"raw":"11.3 Estate Planning","rendered":"11.3 Estate Planning"},"content":{"raw":"<div id=\"navbar-top\" class=\"navbar\">\r\n<div class=\"navbar-part left\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"book-content\">\r\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03\" class=\"section\" xml:lang=\"en\">\r\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_n01\" class=\"learning_objectives editable block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n<ol id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_l01\" class=\"orderedlist\">\r\n \t<li>Identify the purposes, types, and components of a will.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describe the roles and types of trusts and gifts.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Analyze the role of the estate tax in estate planning.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Your <strong>estate<\/strong>[footnote]All real and personal property of a decedent at the time of death, not including properties in joint ownership or assets that pass directly to a named beneficiary.[\/footnote] includes everything you own. Other aspects of financial planning involve creating and managing your assets while you are alive. Estate planning is a way to manage your assets after your death. Age is not really a factor, because death can occur at any time, at any age, by any cause. Arranging for the disposition of your estate is not a morbid concern but a kindness to those you leave behind. Death is a legal and financial event\u2014and in some cases a taxable event\u2014as well as an emotional one. Your loved ones will have to deal with the emotional aftermath of your loss and will appreciate your care in planning for the legal and financial outcomes of your death.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Wills<\/h2>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Since you won\u2019t be here, you will need to leave a written document outlining your instructions regarding your estate. That is your <strong>will<\/strong>[footnote]A legal document detailing the disposition of assets upon death.[\/footnote], your legal request for the distribution of your estate, that is, assets that remain after your debts have been satisfied. If you die <strong>intestate<\/strong>[footnote]To die without a valid will, leaving the disposition of assets and debts to the law.[\/footnote], or without a will, the laws of your state of legal residence will dictate the distribution of your estate.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">You can write your own will so long as you are a legal adult and mentally competent. The document has to be witnessed by two or three people who are not inheriting anything under the terms of the will, and it must be dated and signed and, in some states, notarized. A <strong>holographic will<\/strong>[footnote]A handwritten or oral will.[\/footnote] is handwritten; it may be more difficult to validate. A <strong>statutory will<\/strong>[footnote]A will written on a preprinted form.[\/footnote] is a preprinted will that you can buy from a store or in a software package. Consider, however, that a will is a legal document. Having yours drawn up by a lawyer may better insure its completeness and validity in court.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p03\" class=\"para editable block\"><strong>Probate<\/strong>[footnote]The legal process of validating a will and overseeing the orderly payment of debts and the distribution of assets.[\/footnote] is the legal process of validating a will and administering the payment of debts and the distribution of assets by a probate court. Probate courts also distribute property in the absence of a will. Probate is not required in every case, however. Probate is not required if the deceased<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_l01\" class=\"itemizedlist editable block\">\r\n \t<li>owned assets of little value, allowing for transfer without court supervision;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>owned assets jointly with or \u201cpayable on death\u201d to another person;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>owned assets naming another person as beneficiary;<\/li>\r\n \t<li>held all assets in a living trust (a legal entity for managing assets on behalf of beneficiaries).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">Besides the details of \u201cwho gets what,\u201d a will should name an <strong>executor<\/strong>[footnote]The person named in a will who administers the payments of debts and the distribution of assets, as described in the will.[\/footnote], the person or persons who will administer the payment of your debts and the distribution of your remaining assets, according to your wishes as expressed in your will. If you have legal dependents, your will should name a guardian for them. You may also include a \u201cletter of last instruction\u201d stating the location of important documents, safe deposit keys, and bank accounts and specifying your funeral arrangements.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p05\" class=\"para editable block\">There are several types of wills. A <strong>simple will<\/strong>[footnote]A will leaving all property to a spouse.[\/footnote] leaves everything to a spouse. For comparatively small estates that are not taxable (e.g., estates with assets under a million dollars in value), a simple will may be the most appropriate kind. A <strong>traditional marital share will<\/strong>[footnote]A will leaving one-half of the estate to the surviving spouse.[\/footnote]leaves one-half of the estate to a spouse and the other half to others, usually children. This may lower any tax burden on your estate and your spouse\u2019s.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p06\" class=\"para editable block\">A <strong>stated dollar amount will<\/strong>[footnote]A will leaving a specific monetary amount to each beneficiary.[\/footnote] allows you to leave specific amounts to beneficiaries. A drawback of this type of will is that the stated amounts may be reasonable when your will is drawn up but may not reflect your intentions at the time of your death, perhaps many years later. For that reason, rather than specifying specific amounts, it may be better to specify percentages of your asset values you would like each beneficiary to have.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p07\" class=\"para editable block\">You may change or rewrite your will at any time, but you should definitely do so as your life circumstances change, especially with events such as marriage or divorce, the birth of a child, and the acquisition of significant assets, such as a house. If the changes in your circumstances are substantial, you should create a new will.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p08\" class=\"para editable block\">It is possible that you will become mentally or physically disabled before you die and unable to direct management of your assets. To prepare for this possibility, you may create a <strong>living will<\/strong>[footnote]A document conveying your intentions for your personal care and management of your assets should you become unable to do so before your death.[\/footnote] with instructions for your care in that event. You may appoint someone\u2014usually a spouse, child, or sibling\u2014who would have <strong>power of attorney<\/strong>[footnote]The legal right to act on your behalf should you become unable to do so before your death.[\/footnote], that is, the right to act on your behalf, especially as regards financial and legal decisions. That power may be limited or unlimited (such as a \u201cdurable power of attorney\u201d) and is restricted to certain acts or dependent on certain circumstances.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p09\" class=\"para editable block\">Along with granting power of attorney, your living will may include a health care proxy, requesting that medical personnel follow the instructions of a designated family member who expresses your wishes concerning your end-of-life treatment. Many people request, for example, that they not be revived or sustained if they cannot experience some quality of life. Be sure to update your living will, however, as over time your views may change and as medical and technological advances change our notions of \u201cquality of life.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s02\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Trusts and Gifts<\/h2>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A <strong>trust<\/strong>[footnote]A legal entity created to own and manage assets for the benefit of beneficiaries.[\/footnote] is a legal entity created by a trustor, or grantor, who owns assets managed by a trustee or trustees for the benefit of a beneficiary or beneficiaries. A <strong>testamentary trust<\/strong>[footnote]A trust created by a will that becomes effective upon the death of the grantor.[\/footnote] may be established by a will so that beneficiaries who are unable to manage assets (minor children or disabled dependents) can benefit from the assets but have them managed for them. A <strong>living trust<\/strong>[footnote]A trust created while the grantor is alive.[\/footnote] is established while the grantor is alive. Unlike a will, it does not become a matter of public record upon your death. A <strong>revocable living trust<\/strong>[footnote]A trust created while the grantor is living that may be revoked or changed by the grantor; therefore, ownership of the grantor\u2019s assets remains under the control of the grantor.[\/footnote] can be revoked by the grantor, who remains the owner of the assets, at any time. Such a trust avoids the probate process but may not shield assets from estate taxes. An <strong>irrevocable living trust<\/strong>[footnote]A trust created while the grantor is living, that may not be revoked or changed by the grantor. The trust is considered a legal entity, and ownership of the grantor\u2019s assets is transferred to the trust.[\/footnote] cannot be changed; the grantor gives up ownership of his or her assets, which passes to the trust, avoiding probate and estate taxes. However, the trust then becomes a separate taxable entity and pays tax on its accumulated income.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s02_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">Another way to avoid probate and estate taxes is to gift assets to your beneficiaries while you are alive. Ownership of the assets passes to the beneficiaries at the time of the gift, so the assets are no longer included in your estate. The federal government and many state governments levy a gift tax for gifts exceeding certain limits. In 2009, the annual exclusion from federal tax was $13,000 per recipient, for example. Also, the federal government does not tax gifts to spouses and to pay others\u2019 medical bills or tuitions.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s02_p03\" class=\"para editable block\">There are limits to this kind of tax-free distribution of funds, however. For example, the federal government considers any \u201cgift\u201d you make within three years prior to your death as part of your taxable estate. Gifting nevertheless is a way to reduce the value of an estate. Some parents also prefer to make funds available or to gift them to their children when the children need them more\u2014for example, earlier in their adult lives when they may not have accrued enough wealth to make a down payment on a house.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s02_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">Most trusts, whether testamentary or living, revocable or irrevocable, are created to avoid either the probate process or estate taxes or both. The probate process can be long and costly and therefore a burden for your executor, your beneficiaries (who may have to wait for their distributions), and your estate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03\" class=\"section\">\r\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Estate Taxes<\/h2>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Estate taxes diminish the value of your estate that will be distributed to your beneficiaries. For that reason, one of the purposes of estate planning is to try to minimize those taxes.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">The federal estate tax is \u201ca tax on your right to transfer property at your death.\u201d<span id=\"fwk-134226-fn11_013\" class=\"footnote\">U.S. Department of the Treasury, \u201cEstate and Gift Taxes,\u201d Internal Revenue Service <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.irs.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.irs.gov<\/a> (accessed May 3, 2009).<\/span> In 2009, you are required to file an estate tax return if the taxable estate is valued at $3,500,000 or more. In states with estate taxes, you must file a return if the taxable estate value is more than $1,000,000 or other similar cutoff amount. (For various philosophical and practical reasons, the estate tax is the object of much political debate, so those filing limits are subject to change.)<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p03\" class=\"para editable block\">A taxable estate is the gross estate less allowable deductions. The tax law defines the gross estate as the following:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_l01\" class=\"itemizedlist editable block\">\r\n \t<li>The value of all property in which you had an ownership interest at the time of death<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Life insurance proceeds payable to your estate or, if you owned the policy, to your heirs<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The value of certain annuities payable to your estate or your heirs<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The value of certain property you transferred within three years before your death<span id=\"fwk-134226-fn11_014\" class=\"footnote\">U.S. Department of the Treasury, Publication 950, Internal Revenue Service, 2009.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">Allowable deductions include debts that you owed at the time of death, including mortgage debt, your funeral expenses, the value of property passing directly to your surviving spouse (the marital deduction), charitable gifts, and the state estate tax.<span id=\"fwk-134226-fn11_015\" class=\"footnote\">U.S. Department of the Treasury, Publication 950, Internal Revenue Service, 2009.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p05\" class=\"para editable block\"><a class=\"xref\" href=\"#fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_f01\">Figure 11.12 \"Estate Tax Filings in 2007\"<\/a> shows the scope of the estate tax in the U.S. economy for 2007, the latest year for which data is available.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_f01\" class=\"figure large medium-height editable block\">\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"957\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3745\/2018\/11\/14183321\/d06effac28c38e0b44ef4ef1cb0a1485.jpg\" alt=\"image\" width=\"957\" height=\"557\" \/> Figure 11.12 Estate Tax Filings in 2007[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p06\" class=\"para editable block\">In the United States, with a total population of more than 306 million people, those 17,416 tax returns represent about 0.0057 percent of the population, paying about 0.9393 percent of the total taxes collected by the IRS in 2007.<span id=\"fwk-134226-fn11_016\" class=\"footnote\">U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2008, \u201cSOI Tax Stats\u2014IRS Data Book 2007,\u201d Internal Revenue Service, <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.irs.gov\/taxstats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.irs.gov\/taxstats<\/a> (accessed May 3, 2009).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p07\" class=\"para editable block\">While estate taxes tax your assets in your estate, inheritance taxes tax your assets in the hands of your beneficiaries. Because of the costs involved, beneficiaries potentially may not be able to afford to inherit or preserve wealth within the family. For this reason and others, many states have redefined or repealed their inheritance tax laws.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p08\" class=\"para editable block\">Estate taxes also can be more costly to beneficiaries if assets are not liquid\u2014for example, if a large portion of the value of your taxable estate is in your home or business. Your survivors may be required to liquidate or sell assets just to pay the estate taxes. To avoid that, some estate plans include purchasing a life insurance policy for the anticipated amount of the estate tax, thus providing a source of liquid funds or cash for tax payment.<\/p>\r\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p09\" class=\"para editable block\">Minimizing taxes owed is a goal of estate planning, but not the only goal. Your primary objective is to see that your dependents are provided for by the distribution of your assets and that your assets are distributed as you would wish were you still there to distribute them yourself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_n01\" class=\"key_takeaways editable block\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox key-takeaways\">\r\n<h3>Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n<ul id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_l02\" class=\"itemizedlist\">\r\n \t<li>A will describes your wishes for the distribution of your assets (the estate) after your death.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Probate courts distribute assets in the absence of a will and administer wills in estates with assets valued above a certain (variable) dollar amount.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<p class=\"para\">There are many kinds of wills, including<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_l03\" class=\"itemizedlist\">\r\n \t<li>the simple will,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>the traditional marital share will,<\/li>\r\n \t<li>the stated dollar amount will.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Living wills, with power of attorney and health care proxy, provide medical directives, empower someone to manage your estate while you are still alive, and authorize someone to make decision about your health and end-of-life care.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Trusts are used to provide the benefits of assets for beneficiaries without them assuming responsibility for asset management.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>There are testamentary and living trusts, revocable and irrevocable trusts. Setting up and administering trusts involves some considerable expense.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Creating trusts and giving gifts are ways to reduce the taxable value of an estate.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Estate planning should try to minimize the federal and state tax obligations of estate disposition.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_n02\" class=\"exercises editable block\">\r\n<h3 class=\"title\">Exercises<\/h3>\r\n<ol id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_l04\" class=\"orderedlist\">\r\n \t<li>What are the estate tax laws in your state? Does your state tax income from Social Security payments? Does your state tax pensions and other sources of retirement income? How does your state treat inheritance taxes and estate taxes? What tax breaks does your state offer to retirees? Find answers to these questions by visiting <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.retirementliving.com\/taxes-by-state\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.retirementliving.com\/taxes-by-state<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Draft a holographic will or use a form for a statutory will recognized in your state. Start by reviewing your balance sheet, showing your assets, liabilities, net worth, and inventory of personal and household property. Think about how you would want your estate to be distributed upon your death. Identify an executor. Sample the free forms and advice for writing a will at <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.free-legal-document.com\/how-to-write-a-will.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.free-legal- document.com\/how-to-write-a-will.html<\/a> and <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.alllaw.com\/forms\/wills_and_trusts\/last_will_and_testam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.alllaw.com\/forms\/wills_and_trusts\/last_will_and_testam\/<\/a>. Find out what kind of document your state requires for a \u201clast will and testament\u201d at <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.medlawplus.com\/library\/legal\/lastwillandtestamentform.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.medlawplus.com\/library\/legal\/lastwillandtestamentform.htm<\/a>. Also consider drafting a living will. What should be in a living will? See <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.alllaw.com\/articles\/wills_and_trusts\/article7.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.alllaw.com\/articles\/wills_and_trusts\/article7.asp<\/a>. What form for a living will does your state recognize as legal (see <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/liv-will1.uslivingwillregistry.com\/forms.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/liv-will1.uslivingwillregistry.com\/forms.html<\/a>)? What is the purpose of the U.S. Living Will Registry? According to the video clips on \u201cHow to Write Your Own Will\u201d by lawyers at <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/resources.lawinfo.com\/en\/Videos\/Wills\/Federal\/how-write-your-own-will.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/resources.lawinfo.com\/en\/Videos\/Wills\/Federal\/how-write-your-own-will.html<\/a>, why and when should you have a lawyer draw up your will or review a will you have written yourself?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Survey information about living trusts (also called life estates in some states) at NOLO.com at <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nolo.com\/info\/living-trust\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.nolo.com\/info\/living-trust<\/a>. When and why might you want to create a living trust as an alternative to a will? See <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/articles\/pf\/06\/revocablelivingtrust.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/articles\/pf\/06\/revocablelivingtrust.asp<\/a>. According to the National Consumer Law Center, what questions should you ask to avoid becoming a victim of living trust scams? See <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nclc.org\/images\/pdf\/older_consumers\/consumer_concerns\/cc_avoiding_living_trust_scams.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.nclc.org\/images\/pdf\/older_consumers\/consumer_concerns\/cc_avoiding_living_trust_scams.pdf<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"navbar-bottom\" class=\"navbar\">\r\n<div class=\"navbar-part left\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div id=\"navbar-top\" class=\"navbar\">\n<div class=\"navbar-part left\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"book-content\">\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03\" class=\"section\" xml:lang=\"en\">\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_n01\" class=\"learning_objectives editable block\">\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<ol id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_l01\" class=\"orderedlist\">\n<li>Identify the purposes, types, and components of a will.<\/li>\n<li>Describe the roles and types of trusts and gifts.<\/li>\n<li>Analyze the role of the estate tax in estate planning.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Your <strong>estate<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"All real and personal property of a decedent at the time of death, not including properties in joint ownership or assets that pass directly to a named beneficiary.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-1\" href=\"#footnote-323-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a> includes everything you own. Other aspects of financial planning involve creating and managing your assets while you are alive. Estate planning is a way to manage your assets after your death. Age is not really a factor, because death can occur at any time, at any age, by any cause. Arranging for the disposition of your estate is not a morbid concern but a kindness to those you leave behind. Death is a legal and financial event\u2014and in some cases a taxable event\u2014as well as an emotional one. Your loved ones will have to deal with the emotional aftermath of your loss and will appreciate your care in planning for the legal and financial outcomes of your death.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01\" class=\"section\">\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Wills<\/h2>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Since you won\u2019t be here, you will need to leave a written document outlining your instructions regarding your estate. That is your <strong>will<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A legal document detailing the disposition of assets upon death.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-2\" href=\"#footnote-323-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a>, your legal request for the distribution of your estate, that is, assets that remain after your debts have been satisfied. If you die <strong>intestate<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"To die without a valid will, leaving the disposition of assets and debts to the law.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-3\" href=\"#footnote-323-3\" aria-label=\"Footnote 3\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[3]<\/sup><\/a>, or without a will, the laws of your state of legal residence will dictate the distribution of your estate.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">You can write your own will so long as you are a legal adult and mentally competent. The document has to be witnessed by two or three people who are not inheriting anything under the terms of the will, and it must be dated and signed and, in some states, notarized. A <strong>holographic will<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A handwritten or oral will.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-4\" href=\"#footnote-323-4\" aria-label=\"Footnote 4\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[4]<\/sup><\/a> is handwritten; it may be more difficult to validate. A <strong>statutory will<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A will written on a preprinted form.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-5\" href=\"#footnote-323-5\" aria-label=\"Footnote 5\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[5]<\/sup><\/a> is a preprinted will that you can buy from a store or in a software package. Consider, however, that a will is a legal document. Having yours drawn up by a lawyer may better insure its completeness and validity in court.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p03\" class=\"para editable block\"><strong>Probate<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"The legal process of validating a will and overseeing the orderly payment of debts and the distribution of assets.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-6\" href=\"#footnote-323-6\" aria-label=\"Footnote 6\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[6]<\/sup><\/a> is the legal process of validating a will and administering the payment of debts and the distribution of assets by a probate court. Probate courts also distribute property in the absence of a will. Probate is not required in every case, however. Probate is not required if the deceased<\/p>\n<ul id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_l01\" class=\"itemizedlist editable block\">\n<li>owned assets of little value, allowing for transfer without court supervision;<\/li>\n<li>owned assets jointly with or \u201cpayable on death\u201d to another person;<\/li>\n<li>owned assets naming another person as beneficiary;<\/li>\n<li>held all assets in a living trust (a legal entity for managing assets on behalf of beneficiaries).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">Besides the details of \u201cwho gets what,\u201d a will should name an <strong>executor<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"The person named in a will who administers the payments of debts and the distribution of assets, as described in the will.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-7\" href=\"#footnote-323-7\" aria-label=\"Footnote 7\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[7]<\/sup><\/a>, the person or persons who will administer the payment of your debts and the distribution of your remaining assets, according to your wishes as expressed in your will. If you have legal dependents, your will should name a guardian for them. You may also include a \u201cletter of last instruction\u201d stating the location of important documents, safe deposit keys, and bank accounts and specifying your funeral arrangements.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p05\" class=\"para editable block\">There are several types of wills. A <strong>simple will<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A will leaving all property to a spouse.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-8\" href=\"#footnote-323-8\" aria-label=\"Footnote 8\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[8]<\/sup><\/a> leaves everything to a spouse. For comparatively small estates that are not taxable (e.g., estates with assets under a million dollars in value), a simple will may be the most appropriate kind. A <strong>traditional marital share will<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A will leaving one-half of the estate to the surviving spouse.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-9\" href=\"#footnote-323-9\" aria-label=\"Footnote 9\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[9]<\/sup><\/a>leaves one-half of the estate to a spouse and the other half to others, usually children. This may lower any tax burden on your estate and your spouse\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p06\" class=\"para editable block\">A <strong>stated dollar amount will<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A will leaving a specific monetary amount to each beneficiary.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-10\" href=\"#footnote-323-10\" aria-label=\"Footnote 10\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[10]<\/sup><\/a> allows you to leave specific amounts to beneficiaries. A drawback of this type of will is that the stated amounts may be reasonable when your will is drawn up but may not reflect your intentions at the time of your death, perhaps many years later. For that reason, rather than specifying specific amounts, it may be better to specify percentages of your asset values you would like each beneficiary to have.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p07\" class=\"para editable block\">You may change or rewrite your will at any time, but you should definitely do so as your life circumstances change, especially with events such as marriage or divorce, the birth of a child, and the acquisition of significant assets, such as a house. If the changes in your circumstances are substantial, you should create a new will.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p08\" class=\"para editable block\">It is possible that you will become mentally or physically disabled before you die and unable to direct management of your assets. To prepare for this possibility, you may create a <strong>living will<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A document conveying your intentions for your personal care and management of your assets should you become unable to do so before your death.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-11\" href=\"#footnote-323-11\" aria-label=\"Footnote 11\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[11]<\/sup><\/a> with instructions for your care in that event. You may appoint someone\u2014usually a spouse, child, or sibling\u2014who would have <strong>power of attorney<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"The legal right to act on your behalf should you become unable to do so before your death.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-12\" href=\"#footnote-323-12\" aria-label=\"Footnote 12\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[12]<\/sup><\/a>, that is, the right to act on your behalf, especially as regards financial and legal decisions. That power may be limited or unlimited (such as a \u201cdurable power of attorney\u201d) and is restricted to certain acts or dependent on certain circumstances.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s01_p09\" class=\"para editable block\">Along with granting power of attorney, your living will may include a health care proxy, requesting that medical personnel follow the instructions of a designated family member who expresses your wishes concerning your end-of-life treatment. Many people request, for example, that they not be revived or sustained if they cannot experience some quality of life. Be sure to update your living will, however, as over time your views may change and as medical and technological advances change our notions of \u201cquality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s02\" class=\"section\">\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Trusts and Gifts<\/h2>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s02_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A <strong>trust<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A legal entity created to own and manage assets for the benefit of beneficiaries.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-13\" href=\"#footnote-323-13\" aria-label=\"Footnote 13\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[13]<\/sup><\/a> is a legal entity created by a trustor, or grantor, who owns assets managed by a trustee or trustees for the benefit of a beneficiary or beneficiaries. A <strong>testamentary trust<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A trust created by a will that becomes effective upon the death of the grantor.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-14\" href=\"#footnote-323-14\" aria-label=\"Footnote 14\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[14]<\/sup><\/a> may be established by a will so that beneficiaries who are unable to manage assets (minor children or disabled dependents) can benefit from the assets but have them managed for them. A <strong>living trust<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A trust created while the grantor is alive.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-15\" href=\"#footnote-323-15\" aria-label=\"Footnote 15\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[15]<\/sup><\/a> is established while the grantor is alive. Unlike a will, it does not become a matter of public record upon your death. A <strong>revocable living trust<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A trust created while the grantor is living that may be revoked or changed by the grantor; therefore, ownership of the grantor\u2019s assets remains under the control of the grantor.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-16\" href=\"#footnote-323-16\" aria-label=\"Footnote 16\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[16]<\/sup><\/a> can be revoked by the grantor, who remains the owner of the assets, at any time. Such a trust avoids the probate process but may not shield assets from estate taxes. An <strong>irrevocable living trust<\/strong><a class=\"footnote\" title=\"A trust created while the grantor is living, that may not be revoked or changed by the grantor. The trust is considered a legal entity, and ownership of the grantor\u2019s assets is transferred to the trust.\" id=\"return-footnote-323-17\" href=\"#footnote-323-17\" aria-label=\"Footnote 17\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[17]<\/sup><\/a> cannot be changed; the grantor gives up ownership of his or her assets, which passes to the trust, avoiding probate and estate taxes. However, the trust then becomes a separate taxable entity and pays tax on its accumulated income.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s02_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">Another way to avoid probate and estate taxes is to gift assets to your beneficiaries while you are alive. Ownership of the assets passes to the beneficiaries at the time of the gift, so the assets are no longer included in your estate. The federal government and many state governments levy a gift tax for gifts exceeding certain limits. In 2009, the annual exclusion from federal tax was $13,000 per recipient, for example. Also, the federal government does not tax gifts to spouses and to pay others\u2019 medical bills or tuitions.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s02_p03\" class=\"para editable block\">There are limits to this kind of tax-free distribution of funds, however. For example, the federal government considers any \u201cgift\u201d you make within three years prior to your death as part of your taxable estate. Gifting nevertheless is a way to reduce the value of an estate. Some parents also prefer to make funds available or to gift them to their children when the children need them more\u2014for example, earlier in their adult lives when they may not have accrued enough wealth to make a down payment on a house.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s02_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">Most trusts, whether testamentary or living, revocable or irrevocable, are created to avoid either the probate process or estate taxes or both. The probate process can be long and costly and therefore a burden for your executor, your beneficiaries (who may have to wait for their distributions), and your estate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03\" class=\"section\">\n<h2 class=\"title editable block\">Estate Taxes<\/h2>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Estate taxes diminish the value of your estate that will be distributed to your beneficiaries. For that reason, one of the purposes of estate planning is to try to minimize those taxes.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">The federal estate tax is \u201ca tax on your right to transfer property at your death.\u201d<span id=\"fwk-134226-fn11_013\" class=\"footnote\">U.S. Department of the Treasury, \u201cEstate and Gift Taxes,\u201d Internal Revenue Service <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.irs.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.irs.gov<\/a> (accessed May 3, 2009).<\/span> In 2009, you are required to file an estate tax return if the taxable estate is valued at $3,500,000 or more. In states with estate taxes, you must file a return if the taxable estate value is more than $1,000,000 or other similar cutoff amount. (For various philosophical and practical reasons, the estate tax is the object of much political debate, so those filing limits are subject to change.)<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p03\" class=\"para editable block\">A taxable estate is the gross estate less allowable deductions. The tax law defines the gross estate as the following:<\/p>\n<ul id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_l01\" class=\"itemizedlist editable block\">\n<li>The value of all property in which you had an ownership interest at the time of death<\/li>\n<li>Life insurance proceeds payable to your estate or, if you owned the policy, to your heirs<\/li>\n<li>The value of certain annuities payable to your estate or your heirs<\/li>\n<li>The value of certain property you transferred within three years before your death<span id=\"fwk-134226-fn11_014\" class=\"footnote\">U.S. Department of the Treasury, Publication 950, Internal Revenue Service, 2009.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p04\" class=\"para editable block\">Allowable deductions include debts that you owed at the time of death, including mortgage debt, your funeral expenses, the value of property passing directly to your surviving spouse (the marital deduction), charitable gifts, and the state estate tax.<span id=\"fwk-134226-fn11_015\" class=\"footnote\">U.S. Department of the Treasury, Publication 950, Internal Revenue Service, 2009.<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p05\" class=\"para editable block\"><a class=\"xref\" href=\"#fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_f01\">Figure 11.12 &#8220;Estate Tax Filings in 2007&#8221;<\/a> shows the scope of the estate tax in the U.S. economy for 2007, the latest year for which data is available.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_f01\" class=\"figure large medium-height editable block\">\n<div style=\"width: 967px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3745\/2018\/11\/14183321\/d06effac28c38e0b44ef4ef1cb0a1485.jpg\" alt=\"image\" width=\"957\" height=\"557\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 11.12 Estate Tax Filings in 2007<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p06\" class=\"para editable block\">In the United States, with a total population of more than 306 million people, those 17,416 tax returns represent about 0.0057 percent of the population, paying about 0.9393 percent of the total taxes collected by the IRS in 2007.<span id=\"fwk-134226-fn11_016\" class=\"footnote\">U.S. Department of the Treasury, 2008, \u201cSOI Tax Stats\u2014IRS Data Book 2007,\u201d Internal Revenue Service, <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.irs.gov\/taxstats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.irs.gov\/taxstats<\/a> (accessed May 3, 2009).<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p07\" class=\"para editable block\">While estate taxes tax your assets in your estate, inheritance taxes tax your assets in the hands of your beneficiaries. Because of the costs involved, beneficiaries potentially may not be able to afford to inherit or preserve wealth within the family. For this reason and others, many states have redefined or repealed their inheritance tax laws.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p08\" class=\"para editable block\">Estate taxes also can be more costly to beneficiaries if assets are not liquid\u2014for example, if a large portion of the value of your taxable estate is in your home or business. Your survivors may be required to liquidate or sell assets just to pay the estate taxes. To avoid that, some estate plans include purchasing a life insurance policy for the anticipated amount of the estate tax, thus providing a source of liquid funds or cash for tax payment.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_p09\" class=\"para editable block\">Minimizing taxes owed is a goal of estate planning, but not the only goal. Your primary objective is to see that your dependents are provided for by the distribution of your assets and that your assets are distributed as you would wish were you still there to distribute them yourself.<\/p>\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_n01\" class=\"key_takeaways editable block\">\n<div class=\"textbox key-takeaways\">\n<h3>Key Takeaways<\/h3>\n<ul id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_l02\" class=\"itemizedlist\">\n<li>A will describes your wishes for the distribution of your assets (the estate) after your death.<\/li>\n<li>Probate courts distribute assets in the absence of a will and administer wills in estates with assets valued above a certain (variable) dollar amount.<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"para\">There are many kinds of wills, including<\/p>\n<ul id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_l03\" class=\"itemizedlist\">\n<li>the simple will,<\/li>\n<li>the traditional marital share will,<\/li>\n<li>the stated dollar amount will.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Living wills, with power of attorney and health care proxy, provide medical directives, empower someone to manage your estate while you are still alive, and authorize someone to make decision about your health and end-of-life care.<\/li>\n<li>Trusts are used to provide the benefits of assets for beneficiaries without them assuming responsibility for asset management.<\/li>\n<li>There are testamentary and living trusts, revocable and irrevocable trusts. Setting up and administering trusts involves some considerable expense.<\/li>\n<li>Creating trusts and giving gifts are ways to reduce the taxable value of an estate.<\/li>\n<li>Estate planning should try to minimize the federal and state tax obligations of estate disposition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_n02\" class=\"exercises editable block\">\n<h3 class=\"title\">Exercises<\/h3>\n<ol id=\"fwk-134226-ch11_s03_s03_l04\" class=\"orderedlist\">\n<li>What are the estate tax laws in your state? Does your state tax income from Social Security payments? Does your state tax pensions and other sources of retirement income? How does your state treat inheritance taxes and estate taxes? What tax breaks does your state offer to retirees? Find answers to these questions by visiting <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.retirementliving.com\/taxes-by-state\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.retirementliving.com\/taxes-by-state<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Draft a holographic will or use a form for a statutory will recognized in your state. Start by reviewing your balance sheet, showing your assets, liabilities, net worth, and inventory of personal and household property. Think about how you would want your estate to be distributed upon your death. Identify an executor. Sample the free forms and advice for writing a will at <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.free-legal-document.com\/how-to-write-a-will.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.free-legal- document.com\/how-to-write-a-will.html<\/a> and <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.alllaw.com\/forms\/wills_and_trusts\/last_will_and_testam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.alllaw.com\/forms\/wills_and_trusts\/last_will_and_testam\/<\/a>. Find out what kind of document your state requires for a \u201clast will and testament\u201d at <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.medlawplus.com\/library\/legal\/lastwillandtestamentform.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.medlawplus.com\/library\/legal\/lastwillandtestamentform.htm<\/a>. Also consider drafting a living will. What should be in a living will? See <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.alllaw.com\/articles\/wills_and_trusts\/article7.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.alllaw.com\/articles\/wills_and_trusts\/article7.asp<\/a>. What form for a living will does your state recognize as legal (see <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/liv-will1.uslivingwillregistry.com\/forms.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/liv-will1.uslivingwillregistry.com\/forms.html<\/a>)? What is the purpose of the U.S. Living Will Registry? According to the video clips on \u201cHow to Write Your Own Will\u201d by lawyers at <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/resources.lawinfo.com\/en\/Videos\/Wills\/Federal\/how-write-your-own-will.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/resources.lawinfo.com\/en\/Videos\/Wills\/Federal\/how-write-your-own-will.html<\/a>, why and when should you have a lawyer draw up your will or review a will you have written yourself?<\/li>\n<li>Survey information about living trusts (also called life estates in some states) at NOLO.com at <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nolo.com\/info\/living-trust\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.nolo.com\/info\/living-trust<\/a>. When and why might you want to create a living trust as an alternative to a will? See <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/articles\/pf\/06\/revocablelivingtrust.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/articles\/pf\/06\/revocablelivingtrust.asp<\/a>. According to the National Consumer Law Center, what questions should you ask to avoid becoming a victim of living trust scams? See <a class=\"link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nclc.org\/images\/pdf\/older_consumers\/consumer_concerns\/cc_avoiding_living_trust_scams.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">http:\/\/www.nclc.org\/images\/pdf\/older_consumers\/consumer_concerns\/cc_avoiding_living_trust_scams.pdf<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"navbar-bottom\" class=\"navbar\">\n<div class=\"navbar-part left\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-323\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Personal Finance. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Saylor Academy. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/saylordotorg.github.io\/text_personal-finance\">https:\/\/saylordotorg.github.io\/text_personal-finance<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section><hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-323-1\">All real and personal property of a decedent at the time of death, not including properties in joint ownership or assets that pass directly to a named beneficiary. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-2\">A legal document detailing the disposition of assets upon death. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-3\">To die without a valid will, leaving the disposition of assets and debts to the law. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-3\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 3\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-4\">A handwritten or oral will. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-4\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 4\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-5\">A will written on a preprinted form. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-5\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 5\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-6\">The legal process of validating a will and overseeing the orderly payment of debts and the distribution of assets. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-6\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 6\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-7\">The person named in a will who administers the payments of debts and the distribution of assets, as described in the will. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-7\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 7\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-8\">A will leaving all property to a spouse. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-8\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 8\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-9\">A will leaving one-half of the estate to the surviving spouse. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-9\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 9\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-10\">A will leaving a specific monetary amount to each beneficiary. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-10\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 10\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-11\">A document conveying your intentions for your personal care and management of your assets should you become unable to do so before your death. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-11\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 11\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-12\">The legal right to act on your behalf should you become unable to do so before your death. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-12\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 12\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-13\">A legal entity created to own and manage assets for the benefit of beneficiaries. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-13\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 13\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-14\">A trust created by a will that becomes effective upon the death of the grantor. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-14\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 14\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-15\">A trust created while the grantor is alive. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-15\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 15\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-16\">A trust created while the grantor is living that may be revoked or changed by the grantor; therefore, ownership of the grantor\u2019s assets remains under the control of the grantor. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-16\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 16\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-323-17\">A trust created while the grantor is living, that may not be revoked or changed by the grantor. The trust is considered a legal entity, and ownership of the grantor\u2019s assets is transferred to the trust. <a href=\"#return-footnote-323-17\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 17\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":44985,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Personal Finance\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Saylor Academy\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/saylordotorg.github.io\/text_personal-finance\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-323","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":303,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44985"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":577,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/323\/revisions\/577"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/303"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/323\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=323"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=323"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-personalfinance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}