The method by which a person owns an asset will determine whether or not it will form part of their estate when they die. Therefore getting ownership issues right is fundamental to an effective estate planning strategy.

A common misconception is that estate planning is only for the wealthy or elderly. Not so, for the truth is that everyone has an estate plan in place…….. by default. For those who do not have a current will in place, the laws of intestacy apply according to the State in which you live.

But estate planning does not simply involve considering the consequences of death. Decisions made during a person's lifetime can have considerable impact on the estate planning process. Decisions made for tax planning and financial planning purposes will also have relevance for a person's estate planning objectives.

Estate planning involves people first and foremost (family structures and beneficiaries) as well as trusts, taxation issues and potentially business succession to ensure arrangements are in place to protect a family's interest, now and in the future and in the most tax effective way possible.

There are three identifiable stages in the estate planning process.

As a successful business owner, you know the importance of working with experienced professional advisers. Our unique Partner Access Program ™ provides access to these specialized resources. It is a support system where the advisers know and understand how to create, preserve and distribute an estate to ensure your objectives are met in the most efficient way.