Did you know that you already have an estate plan? The only question is whether it is the estate plan you want — the one that's best for you and your family.

Anyone who owns assets has an estate. Upon a person's death, those assets must, by law, be properly distributed. Without proper planning, a court could determine their distribution in accordance with state law, which may not be the wishes of the deceased.

• Thinking the Unthinkable: What Everyone Needs to Know About Estate Planning Brochure (PDF | 2.10MB)
• Estate Planning: Introduction to the Essentials Webinar

Planning

• Your 2012 Mid-year Estate Tax Planning Guide
• Leaving a Legacy: An Everyman’s Guide to Estate Planning
• Estate Planning for the Middle Class (Part 5)
• Estate Planning for the Middle Class (Part 4)
• Estate Planning for the Middle Class (Part 3)
• Estate Planning for the Middle Class (Part 2)
• Estate Planning for the Middle Class (Part 1)
• The Generational Communication Gap
• Make Your Estate Plan Disaster Proof
• Why You Need an Estate Plan
• If You Had the Time to Plan for a Sudden Serious Illness or Death in the Family, What Would You Do?
• Make Estate Plans to Benefit Yourself and Your Loved Ones
• Tips for Baby Boomers: Estate Planning for Aging Parents
• Estate Planning Checklist
• Why You Need an Estate Plan / Planning for Disaster (Mp3)

Estate Planning Tools

• The Four Fundamental Estate Planning Tools

• Additional Estate Planning Tools

Will

• The Most Important Letter You May Ever Write
• Do I Even Need a Will?
• But Who Will Raise Them?
• Flexibility in Your Will is a Must!

Power of Attorney

• Health Care Power of Attorney - Is it Necessary?
• Going to the Hospital? Prepare Financially as well as Medically
• Why go to a financial planner vs. an estate planning lawyer? Can financial planners set up durable power of attorney?

Trusts

• Financial Family Matters: When Should You Select a Professional Trustee?
• Is a Spousal Lifetime Access Trust Right for You?
• Who Can You Trust with Your Trust?
• How to Choose a Trustee
• What is the best way to get started in setting up an estate/trust for my son?

Additional Resources

• Wealth Planning & Protection Strategies for Your Family
• Don't Forget to Audit Your Beneficiary Designations
• Losing Your Inheritance to Uncle Sam — or Others
• Dreaming Big: Financial Planning for Unexpected Wealth
• Have You Reviewed Your Beneficiary Designations Lately?
• Are Your Beneficiary Designations Up to Date?
• Gifting: One of the Most Important Estate Planning Tools
• What financial resources are available to ensure my children are beneficiaries of my 401(k)?
• I’m about to receive a substantial estate gift. Should I pay off my home loan or invest the money?
• How a Financial Planner Can Help You...and How to Choose the Right One Brochure (PDF | 2.59MB)