Gavin Bramley

When it comes to money, most people think about accumulating, managing, and protecting it. But there is one other element you must consider: passing your money to your heirs while paying the least possible in fees and estate taxes.

Government has been busy making changes in the estate tax law, but one thing is clear: Estate taxes will be with us for many years to come, despite new legislation. The good news, though, is something few people realize : Government has made estate taxes optional. It’s true: Your estate pays (and your heirs suffer) only if you fail to take the necessary steps prescribed by law. To preserve your wealth for your heirs, it is imperative that you properly plan now so your heirs can benefit as you wish. That’s where our financial planners can make a difference. Each of our planners is highly trained in estate planning matters. We look comprehensively not just at your assets but at your family circumstances as well, to help you easily and effectively pass your assets to those you love, with the least tax consequences. We will evaluate your estate planning needs in such areas as: 

·          Preserving your assets during your lifetime, assuring you’ll have the money you need.

·          Identifying trusts that can increase the amount you can transfer to children completely tax-free.

·          Using trusts that enable your heirs to skip the expensive and cumbersome executor processes.

·          Helping make sure that your money goes to the charities and loved ones you want, while keeping your money out of the hands of those who will try to grab it including not just SARS, but undeserving relatives.

·          Making sure you and your spouse’s wills are current.

·          Utilizing an innovative structure to account for any estate duty that may be payable before the trust structures can kick in.

·          Helping you determine whether a single trust vs. two separate trusts is better for you and your spouse.

·          Properly registering your stock, unit trust fund, and bank accounts so your money is best protected.

·          Creatively using life insurance in a way that can minimize and possibly even eliminate estate taxes.

·          Identifying whether a Spendthrift or Special Needs Trust is a suitable choice for a child or grandchild.

·          Evaluating the use of long-term care insurance as a way to help preserve your assets for your heirs.

·          Utilizing structures to boost the inheritances for your heirs, i.e. Living annuities.

·          Isolating which of your assets, annuities, bonds, taxable investments, should be used first to provide you with income now while reducing taxes later.

·          Drafting instructions to help avoid family infighting after a family member passes away.

·          Helping survivors manage complex estate administration and investment matters while coping with the loss of a loved one.