Estate Planning: Nesting for the Modern Parent: 3 Steps New and Expecting Parents Should Take Now

Whether you’re a brand new parent or expecting soon, you won’t want to miss this expert estate planning tips on Trust & Will from Rianka R. Dorsainvil.

Did you become a new parent this past year, or are you expecting a quarantine baby in the coming months? If so, congratulations! I welcomed my first child almost a year ago and the experience has been nothing short of life changing.

The truth is, as you’re navigating the ins and outs of pregnancy, the last thing on your mind is likely estate planning. But if you haven’t already discovered, when you’re a new parent or expecting there’s always something on your mind! So, having all of your affairs in order before a baby arrives just makes sense - consider it one of your many “nesting” tasks.

Not there yet? Don’t worry. Here’s a simple three-step plan to get started.

Step 1: Choose a Guardian

Just like they do at the hospital, parents should have contingency plans in place for the care of their children in the unlikely event they both become incapable of raising a child.

Besides choosing an individual, also consider the guidelines of how you’d like your child to be cared for: type of lifestyle, health and education considerations… and, remember, these plans are meant to be adjusted as years go by. Don’t worry about making the right choice for forever, but the right choice for now. We are aiming for more peace of mind.

Completing a Nomination of Guardian form is quite simple: answer a few questions about your family, and then once the documents have been prepared, find two witnesses to sign in addition to your own signature.

We’re on our way!

Step 2: Create a Trust and Choose a Trustee

Before a child is born, parents should confidently plan their Estate with their son or daughter’s security and future in mind. One of these ways could be by creating a Trust. This Trust holds assets (financial, material and otherwise) that can be passed onto a minor child if needed and will be managed by a Trustee of your choice. If called upon, this individual will distribute the assets according to the agreed-upon terms.

Items to consider when creating a Trust are:

• Caregiving directs, including healthcare and education;

• Assets, like real estate, vehicles, and jewelry; and,

• Financials, like retirement accounts, investments, cash, and more.

Know that Trust’s don’t have to turn all assets over to children at the age of 18, instead you have flexibility in the age range as long as you are specified with your wishes and language in the document.

It’s easy to start with Trust & Will’s customizable and comprehensive Trust options. Now we’re really cooking, but we should be careful to look at this holistically.

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