| Preparing your finances for death
and disaster |
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Estate planning is a complicated topic, mainly because
the laws have become extremely complex. For example, over the next
five years, tax rates and exemption amounts will change radically.
This year you can bequeath $2 million without triggering federal
estate tax, and that number goes up to $3.5 million in 2009, then
to an unlimited amount the following year. At the same time, estate-tax
rates drop incrementally and disappear altogether in 2010. But then
in 2011, the exemption amount reverts to $1 million and the tax
rates go back up, unless Congress acts between now and then.
Talk over your situation with an estate tax attorney
to see what might be appropriate for you.
But wait -- you're not finished yet. While you're
at the attorney's office, take care of other important legal documents.
What if you're unable to make decisions about your own medical care
down the road? A medical power of attorney assigns a designated
friend or family member to make these decisions for you. Separately,
consider creating a living will that states whether you want medical
intervention to keep you alive in the event of a terminal illness.
Think Terri Schiavo.
Finally, you might consider assigning power of attorney
to a trusted friend or family member who can manage your finances
if one day you are unable to do so yourself. A "springing"
power of attorney goes into effect under particular circumstances,
such as if you become incapacitated. A "durable" power
of attorney goes into effect immediately. If you assign durable
power of attorney to someone outside of the family -- a bank, attorney
or daily
money manager -- you'll have to pay for the service.
What about your folks?
Have you talked to your parents about their plans? If they've been
lucky enough to enjoy good health and still do -- fantastic. But
what if something happens down the road? It's important to find
out what their intentions are, and to inform them of their options
if they're not aware of them.
If you make financial organization a priority for
yourself, you can use that as a basis to broach the topic with them.
Say, "Hey, the road map to my finances is in this box in case
you ever need to know. Do you have a road map?" If they haven't
created one, maybe you can help them do so.
While you're at it, ask them if they would leave you
a legacy that's priceless -- namely an account of their lives and
the values that they'd like to pass on. So-called ethical wills
have become popular recently as ways for family members to share
values, beliefs, opinions and important life events. Ask them to
draw one up for you. Or they may be willing to reflect on their
lives in a less formal way, by talking to you on tape, perhaps even
on camera, so that you can have a keepsake of them that you can
pass on to future generations.
Last summer, a survey
conducted by the insurance company Allianz revealed that "nonfinancial
leave-behinds, like ethics, morality, faith and religion, are 10
times more important to both boomers and elders with children than
the financial aspects of a legacy transfer."
While leaving money behind to heirs may be intended
as an expression of love, a personal account of one's life story
holds immeasurable value for those who are left behind.
If you have a comment or suggestion
about this column, write to Boomer
Bucks.
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