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What is Estate Administration?

Posted: 12.08.2015

 

Anyone who owns property can technically have an estate

 

When you think of the word "estate," you probably imagine a grand manor situated on a large piece of property, filled with expensive belongings that look like they should be in a museum. But the truth is that anyone who owns property or other assets can technically have an estate. And when you shuffle off this mortal coil, what will become of the wealth you have accumulated during your lifetime? If you are married, much of it will naturally pass on to your spouse. Or if you have children, it may go to them in the event that your spouse dies before you. But if you fail to engage in some form of asset protection, everything you own could come under siege from creditors and other claimants when you pass on. Estate Planning is one way to protect your main asset for the benefit of a young family, or even to pass it along to a partner, older children, or other intended beneficiaries.

 

Making sure your wishes are followed out

 

Estate administration, as the name implies, involves making sure that your wishes for your estate are properly administered following your death. To that end, you may choose to create a Last Will and Testament, family trusts, and other legal documents designed to pass along wealth. The type of provisions you make will depend on the assets in question. For example, a will may suffice for passing along valuables like heirloom jewelry and items with virtually no value, such as a record collection. But a family home trust might be a more suitable way to protect your family home. You have to understand that a will goes through probate after your death and it can be challenged. The same isn't true of a trust. Any items held within a trust will go to the beneficiaries listed with no possibility of contention.

 

How can you reduce your estate administration costs?

 

There could be several costs associated with estate administration. Simply creating a legal will and a family home trust will cost you some money, although you can significantly reduce costs by using online resources designed to help you create these documents without the services of a professional lawyer or estate planning service. But when you hire an administrator, you could see a significant jump in price. You need to be wary about the sort of arrangement you agree to.

 

Trust Assets do not form part of your estate so the administration costs can be a lot less

 

The average person will not require many ongoing administration services, but many companies will try to talk you into such plans because it is how they earn a living. In order to select the services best suited to your situation, you will have to exercise due diligence by researching these services. When it comes to your estate, you want to make sure it is administered properly so that assets can go to your intended beneficiaries upon your death. But you may not need to continue paying an administrator to make that happen. A will and/or a trust could be enough.

 

So why not learn more and register with TrustUs today.

Its in your hands.

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