A New Year's resolution that's easy to keep reviewing your estate plan

PRIME January 2013 By Gina M. Barry Bacon Wilson P.C. Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet? Most resolutions are so cumbersome, they are impossible to keep. A simple resolution to make and keep is to review your estate plan. An annual review of your estate plan ensures that your plan remains current as there are many reasons that an update to your plan may be needed. In order to review your Estate Plan, it is first necessary to have a plan in place to review. If you have not already established a basic estate plan, including a last will and testament, durable power of attorney, health care proxy and homestead declaration, there is no time like the present to take action. Establishing a plan is not difficult, nor is it as expensive as you may think. One important area to watch is the estate tax system. In 2013, you may pass up to $1 million to your heirs without incurring any Massachusetts estate tax. With respect to federal estate tax, change is afoot. In 2012, you could have passed up to $5 million to your heirs without incurring any federal estate tax; however, as of Jan. 1, 2013, that threshold will drop to $1 million. It is entirely possible that an amendment of the federal law will take place in 2013, so it is now particularly important to stay abreast of changes that could affect your estate plan. Yes, your estate could be taxed Many people mistakenly believe that they do not have a taxable estate. All of the assets that you own at the time of your death are counted toward the total value of your estate. Assets include, but are not limited to, real estate holdings, life insurance proceeds, retirement, investment and bank accounts and even your personal property. Life insurance seems to be the most commonly overlooked asset when calculating net worth for estate tax purposes – probably because the money is not paid until you die. When property is left to a spouse, even if its value exceeds the current estate tax threshold, no estate tax will be owed as the unlimited marital deduction allows "free" passage of assets from one spouse to the other. Be wary, however, of the trap that awaits married couples here. When the surviving spouse passes away, the assets will be in the estate of that spouse and will be fully taxed. Regardless of whether you are married or single, if your estate exceeds the current threshold, proper planning can minimize or even eliminate the estate tax. Every estate plan needs a review If your estate is valued at less than the estate tax threshold, you should still review your estate plan annually to ensure that your wishes will be carried out upon your incapacity, and ultimately, upon your death. Estate plan documents often need updating. Perhaps, an additional child or grandchild has been born, and there are no provisions for this new family member. Perhaps, your children have matured significantly and a trust is no longer necessary to hold and administer their inheritance, or in the alternative, a child may have predeceased you or may have proven to be a spendthrift, in which case a trust may now be in order. Any of these issues would warrant an update. Check your bequests You should also review your estate plan to be sure that your assets remain sufficient to carry out your plan. Many estate plans include bequests of specific dollar amounts with the remainder of the estate passing to those intended as the primary beneficiaries of the bulk of the estate. If your assets have decreased substantially, large specific bequests can disinherit the heirs that receive the remainder of your estate after the specific bequests are paid. Consider changing the dollar figures in your will to percentages so that fluctuations in your assets will be adjusted for automatically. And your appointees Yet another reason to review your estate plan is to make sure that the individuals you have named in key positions are still able to serve and that they are still who you would choose to make decisions for you. The nominations to review in your will include your named executor and any trustee or guardian named therein. You should also review who you named to serve in your durable power of attorney and health care proxy. Also, if your health care proxy does not contain living will language, which addresses your end-of-life medical decisions, your health care proxy should be updated to include your wishes. Many times, once an estate plan has been established, complacency sets in. While some sense of security should follow establishing a plan, it is important to review your plan regularly. 'Tis the season to review your estate plan – make the resolution that is easy to keep. Gina M. Barry is a partner with the law firm of Bacon Wilson, P.C., Attorneys at Law. She is a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, the Estate Planning Council, and the Western Massachusetts Elder Care Professionals Association. She concentrates her practice in the areas of Estate and Asset Protection Planning, Probate Administration and Litigation, Guardianships, Conservatorships and Residential Real Estate. To contact Barry call 413-781-0560.