Planning Your Estate

Assumptions for the Christian

• God is the owner of everything
• God has given us the responsibility of stewardship
• God holds us accountable for the way in which we use and manage the resources He ahs bless us with.

Common Estate Planning Techniques to Consider

• The Do Nothing Plan (The State of Arkansas will establish a will for you but it may not be what you want)
• Beneficiary Designation
• Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship (JTROS)
• Last Will and Testament
• Revocable Living Trust and Pour over Will

What Does a Will Control?

• Real Estate in your name only
• Bank or other accounts in your name only with no pay on death (POD) or transfer on death (TOD) designation
• Life insurance in some cases
• All other property that is in one individual’s name

What Property Does Not Have to Pass Through Probate?

• Joint tenancy property

• Trust property

Property passing by beneficiary designation

• POD or TOD accounts
• Life Estate property
• Lifetime gifts

Gifting Privileges

• Unlimited Marital Deduction
• Unlimited Charitable Deduction
• $11,000 (indexed) per person per year
• $1,500,000 estate tax exemption

NOTE:

Estate tax ceases in 2010; however, unless Congress enacts new legislation, everything reverts back to the estate tax status of 2001.

Should You Be Concerned About Estate Taxes?

• Your estate is valued at more than $1,500,000 or your marital estate is valued at more than $3,000,000.

Interested in More Information

Contact the Union Rescue Mission Business Office at (501) 370-0808.