How do I maximize my estate planning?
Andrew Mclaughlin
Published Mar 23, 2026
Best Practices in Estate Planning to Maximize Your Trust
- Choose the Right Type of Trust(s) Trusts are varied and complex.
- Fund Your Trust.
- Draw Up a Pour-Over Will.
- Consider Gifting Assets Not in Your Trust.
- Revisit Your Estate Plans Regularly.
What makes a good estate plan?
All estate plans should include, at minimum, two important estate planning instruments: a durable power of attorney and a will. A trust can also be useful to avoid probate and to manage your estate both during your life and after you are gone.
4 Ways To Improve Your Estate Plan
- Review Beneficiary Designations. Many accounts can pass to heirs and loved ones without having to go through the sometimes costly and time-consuming process of probate.
- Have Proper Life Insurance.
When did portability become permanent?
2013
However, at the beginning of 2013, portability laws became “permanent” under the American Tax Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) and now it’s an essential part of estate and financial planning. Fortunately, your clients can have the best of both worlds.
How much does the government charge for estate planning?
Any person who dies and whose net estate is more than R3,5 million will be charged at the rate of 20% by the government.
Which is more cost effective for estate planning?
For estate planning purposes, it is usually more cost-effective to buy or keep life assurance for the purpose of using it to fund the taxes incurred on your death. Image: Shutterstock Death is still very much a certainty, taxes a lot less so, especially if you don’t plan for the proper winding up of your deceased estate.
How often should you do your estate planning?
Also, your estate planning should take place at least once a year. This means sitting down and reviewing the previous plan to make any alterations based on income growth or asset acquisitions.
Why does an individual enter into an estate plan?
Estate planning may be defined as the arrangement management and disposition of the assets in a persons estate so that he his family and other beneficiaries may enjoy and continue to enjoy the maximum from such assets during his lifetime and after his death no matter when death may occur. Why does an individual enter into an estate plan?