What is a legacy plan?

On Behalf of | Sep 30, 2019 | Estate Planning

Estate planning takes many forms in Georgia. Depending n your situation, you may have multiple documents as part of your plan or it may be quite simple. Your estate plan may be more of a dictation about what to do or it could give a lot of control to one person. It really depends on what you want. One option is to create a legacy plan, which Forbes defines as being an estate plan designed to benefit generations to come.

Essentially, a traditional estate only plans for the next generation. Often, anything you leave behind is at risk of being lost by heirs who do not manage their assets well. A legacy plan gives you a bit more control and the ability to protect future generations and ensure you can provide something for them as well.

You can use a lot of your traditional estate plan to create the legacy plan. You need to set things in place to create the future you want for your family and then continue to nourish it throughout your life to ensure it is strong and ready for when you are no longer here. You also need a management plan for after your death to keep things running according to your wishes.

An important aspect is distinguishing between those assets you want to be legacy assets and those you do not. Make sure it is clear and leave clear instructions for handling the legacy assets. You will need a lot of legal guidance to ensure everything is set up properly, along with other professional help to minimize tax obligations and help set your estate up financially. This information is for education and is not legal advice.