An estate is the total property, real and personal, owned by an individual prior to distribution through a trust or will. Real property is real estate and personal property includes everything else, for example, cars, household items and bank accounts. Estate planning distributes the real and personal property to an individual’s heirs. Estate planning is the process by which an individual or family arranges the transfer of assets in anticipation of death. An estate plan aims to preserve the maximum amount of wealth possible for the intended beneficiaries and flexibility for the individual prior to death. A major concern for drafters of estate plans is Federal and state tax law.

Wills and trusts are common ways in which individuals dispose of their wealth. Trusts, unlike wills, have the benefit of avoiding probate, a lengthy and costly legal process that oversees the transfer of assets. Sometimes, though, it will be useful to make inter vivos gifts (gifts made while the donor is alive) in order to minimize taxes. The Federal Gift Tax exempts certain levels of lifetime gifts.

Depending upon your specific needs, Baldwin Accounting can help you tailor plans according to your desires. Whether you are looking to pass along your assets to particular persons, or looking to minimize your overall tax burden for your estate, we will be able to help you achieve those goals.

Please give us a call (407) 363-0890 to discuss your estate planning questions.