Creating your legacy and leaving your mark.

One of the greatest rewards of wealth is being able to share it with others. You’ve taken care of your own needs and wants, but it takes prudence and planning to make sure your loved ones and favorite charities last for generations. Having estate planning to control the distribution of your assets benefits you, your family and the causes you care about and can help you mitigate potential pitfalls in the future.

We have the resources to customize a financial plan that not only preserves your assets but also helps you share your wealth with the people and charities you care about most.

Who needs an estate plan? The short answer is everyone.

But creating a legacy that reflects your whole life – who you are and what you’ve accomplished – doesn’t have to be a morbid task.

It can be life-affirming to preserve your family values and ensure your assets go to those closest to you and in accordance with your wishes. And perhaps the most vital aspect of estate planning is communicating your wishes with your loved ones and making sure they are thoroughly and accurately documented.

Establishing a trust within your overall estate plan provides the certainty and control over all you’ve worked for and accumulated during your lifetime, regardless of asset level.

Trusts give you the confidence of knowing what will happen to your estate, can potentially exclude probate, a lengthy and expensive process, and can avoid the judicial appointment of a guardian or conservator in the event of incapacity. Some provide for long-term care or education for children or grandchildren; while others can provide for a favorite charity.

We can work with you to ensure your wishes are communicated. Beyond that, we’ll revisit your plan as circumstances change to ensure it is up to date.

Making charitable giving part of your financial and estate plan can allow you to support the charities and causes you love, now and in the future.

Moreover, having the right charitable giving strategy can help further your overall wealth management plan.

There are many ways you can make charitable giving part of your overall financial plan, each with its own level of control and tax benefits. Some options provide immediate or future tax deductions while others can provide a continuous income stream.

We can work with you to provide recommendations that not only benefit you now but provide the opportunity to shape the way you wish to be remembered.

Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with an appropriate professional.