Your question: What role do wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations play in estate planning?

Answer:

These are foundational tools in estate planning:

  • Wills guide how assets not otherwise titled or designated will be distributed.
  • Trustsโ€”such as revocable living trustsโ€”can help avoid probate, offer privacy, and facilitate smoother asset transfer
    Fidelity
  • Beneficiary designations (e.g., on retirement accounts) allow assets to pass directly without needing probate.

As investment advisers, our focus is on how changes in these documents potentially affect your financial balance sheet, cash flow planning, portfolio composition, and longโ€‘term wealth goals.

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