Estate Planning
Planning that goes beyond simple protection
Estate planning is more than identifying who will be a beneficiary of your money upon your passing. Estate planning includes current asset protection, knowing who will make important decisions if you are unable, as well as making sure your wealth is transferred as intended. Through our ongoing relationship with you, we monitor your financial situation and provide analysis and suggestions for estate plan updates as your life changes. Solid planning now will help you achieve your goals over the lifetime of the asset.
Estate Planning Services
- Review documents routinely to keep your estate plan aligned with your goals
- Coordinate accuracy of financial account titling and beneficiary designations
- Collaborate with attorneys to help you develop your will, trust, durable power of attorney, and/or healthcare power of attorney as needed
- Family guidance and education
- Discuss impacts of inheritance on beneficiaries
- Propose and analyze lifetime gifting strategies
- Harmonize charitable giving initiatives during and after lifetime
- Generational wealth transfer guidance
- Long term services and support recommendations
- Charitable giving/family legacy coordination
Related News & Insights
It’s Never Too Early to Start Planning
Steve Starnes shares in the first podcast episode of This Day & Age, tips, and tools you need to set yourself up for success in the later stages of life. The episode explores why having a plan in place is so important and how to get started.
The Importance of Estate Planning
Estate planning is something everyone needs to consider, no matter your net worth. More than just a will, an estate plan is a comprehensive set of documents and instructions that outlines requested actions for the division of assets, executor identification, and setting up any trusts and charitable donations. As a whole, its purpose is to ensure that one’s financial legacy is intact and ready to be passed on to the next generation.
Grand Rapids Business Journal: Steve Starnes on Money & Memory Loss During the Holidays
As a traditional time for family gatherings, the holidays also can be a good time to hold meaningful conversations about helping out (or being helped by) loved ones – especially if a family member is experiencing memory loss or other signs of dementia. In a GRBJ November 2018 article, Steve Starnes, CFP® offers practical advice on how families can approach care-giving conversations, while remaining sensitive to the delicate challenges involved.