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Estate Planning

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Financial Dictionary

Estate Planning

The overall planning of a person's wealth, including the preparation of a will and the planning of taxes after the individual's death.

Investopedia Commentary

Contrary to popular belief, estate planning involves much more than preparing a will, and it is not only for the rich!

Almost three quarters of Americans die without any sort of estate planning.

Related Links

Getting Started On Your Estate Plan
Three Documents You Shouldn't Do Without
Skipping-Out on Probate Costs
Get Ready For The Estate Tax Phase-Out

See also: Estate, Estate Tax, Intestate, Probate, Taxable Estate, Will

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Financial Dictionary

estate planning

The preparation for the orderly administration and disbursement of a person's estate. The preparation includes taking actions that will minimize taxes and distribute assets to the appropriate heirs.

Why is estate planning important?

A well-drafted estate plan is your assurance that the taxes and costs associated with your death will be minimized. A good estate plan also keeps the process of settling your estate as simple and efficient as possible. Most importantly, your estate plan will ensure that your assets will be used to benefit the people or institutions that you choose, in the amounts that you choose.

Gloria Cole, Attorney, private practice, Weston, MA

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: estate plan·ning
Function: noun
: the arranging for the disposition and management of one's estate at death through the use of wills, trusts, insurance policies, and other devices
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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