Estate Planning

If something happens to you, who do you want making medical decisions for you? If you were to die, who do you want to raise your minor children? Who do you want to manage money for them until they are old enough, and when is old enough? And, most importantly, do you have the flexibility to update and change your planning as life events change?

Without effective tax planning, it is difficult, if not impossible, to effectively transfer wealth multi-generationally. From very basic planning to the most sophisticated, York Howell focuses on eliminating, or reducing, potential transfer taxes to the maximum extent possible.

Lawsuits, divorces, bankruptcies, and bad business deals can also have a devastating impact on the transfer of wealth. In fact, it is because of the impact of taxes and outside attacks that most family wealth does not pass beyond the third generation. At York Howell, we always factor in appropriate and effective asset protection in any wealth transfer plan.

Probate is the court-supervised process of changing title to assets. To the greatest extent possible, we try and avoid the time and expense of probate. We also try and avoid the public nature of the probate process. We design estate plans that keep you from having to file a public list of your family, their addresses, and a description of the type and value of your assets.

Beyond simply ensuring that your wishes are effectuated and your assets protected, it is critical to think through the impact that your wealth will have on your family, your business, and your community. We have been fortunate to work with hundreds of families who realize that the best, most meaningful, and most impactful legacies are achieved through thoughtful and intentional planning. We will help guide you through the myriad of options available to you to ensure that your plan has the impact that you desire, based on your unique situation and personal goals, values, and beliefs.

For clients who are interested in a facilitated core values experience, we also offer Entrusted Planning. Entrusted  is built on the Seven Core Disciplines that successful, high-net-worth families have used for hundreds of years (as discussed in David R. York and Andrew L. Howell’s book Entrusted: Building a Legacy That Lasts). Individuals, couples, and families take a simple online survey to determine their personal core values. These values are then directly integrated into your Purpose of Trust and serve as the foundation of your planning.

A few possible outcomes of the Entrusted Planning Process:

• Discover the values that drive your planning
• Establish a starting point to discuss your planning with your family
• Align your family’s unique culture and goals
• Prepare the next generation for stewardship and purposeful inheritance