Your hard-earned legacy is worth protecting
A well-designed estate plan can preserve your wealth and provide you peace-of-mind knowing that your legacy will be fulfilled and seamlessly passed on to those who are most important to you.
With proactive planning your legacy can last for generations
From basic estate planning to complex advanced estate planning strategies, our experienced estate planning and financial planning specialists will:
Learn all about your personal values, goals and objectives
Work with your estate attorney to design a customized estate plan that meets your needs
Ensure that your financial plans are aligned with your estate goals
Review your accounts, titles, and beneficiary designations in light of your goals
Review your legal documents to make sure that they are up to date and in line with your current goals and current estate and tax legislation
Incorporate advanced planning strategies such as charitable planning, gifting strategies, special needs planning, irrevocable trusts, and business succession planning
Monitor and coordinate changes to your circumstances with your other professionals to ensure your estate plan reflects them
No matter how detailed your financial plan, if it doesn’t include an estate plan you are leaving yourself and your family unprotected
A properly structured estate plan that is aligned with your objectives can:
Preserve and distribute your wealth to future generations
Minimize income and estate taxes
Avoid probate and unnecessary delays and costs
Prepare you and your loved ones for the unexpected
Ensure that your children or dependents are cared for in the event of your passing
Maximize the value of a business and mitigate potential disputes
Ease the financial and emotional burdens of your loved ones
Our estate planning services are about more than money
Your estate plan can create stability during a time of loss and a sense of peace while living. By planning ahead you'll experience:
Confidence knowing that your assets will be handled according to your wishes
Peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of
Sense of security knowing that your family will be able to handle matters privately and efficiently
PERSONALIZED WEALTH MANAGEMENT FOR BUSY, SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE
To get the ball rolling, send an email to hfsletstalk@heritagefinancial.net. Or, if you prefer, you can fill out this simple form.
Create a lasting impact that reflects your values and vision
Disclosure: For informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. We recommend you consult an attorney for all legal matters. If you do not have an attorney, we are happy to make recommendations from our network of trusted professionals.
Estate Planning Services FAQs
Yes. Estate planning is for all individuals and families, but it is not one size fits all. A properly drafted estate plan will help ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and should eliminate the need for probate court involvement. Although most everyone should have at minimum a basic estate plan in place, if you have accumulated sustantial wealth you could benefit from advanced estate planning strategies as well.
Advanced estate planning can help wealthy individuals minimize both federal and state estate taxes, protect assets from creditors, and ensure the smooth transfer of wealth to future generations. Furthermore, certain advanced estate planning techniques can help reduce capital gains tax burdens when certain assets are sold.
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts: Trusts that hold life insurance policies and remove the death benefit from the Grantor’s taxable estate.
- Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT): Gifts to a properly drafted SLAT would use one spouse’s exemption, with all future growth on the gifted assets also out of both spouse’s taxable estates. The non-granting spouse would still be able to access the funds for limited purposes (i.e. health, education, maintenance and support).
- Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT): A CRT allows you to fulfill your charitable wishes while providing you with an income stream at the same time. For example, establishing a CRT for the non-realization of any gain on the sale of an appreciated asset (including a business) allows you to retain income stream and gives you an income tax deduction for the present value of the charitable remainder interest. Although the gain will not be eliminated, the CRT will allow the liability to be spread out over the term of the CRT
Yes, and it is an essential part of planning for a business owner. Proper estate planning for business owners and for wealthy individuals alike will ensure that the business continues to operate and will allow you to manage how ownership and control of the business are transferred after your death.
You should review your estate plan regularly, usually every 3-5 years. Your plan should be reviewed if you have any significant life changes or if there have been changes in tax laws or estate planning regulations.
What Our Clients Say
We feel very fortunate that we chose Heritage to be our financial managers. We know our savings are in good hands.
Kathy & Gary , Massachusetts
Over the years that I have been a client at Heritage, they have done a superb job of listening to my financial goals, and helping me achieve them. Thanks to them, and all things being equal, my retirement is and will be calm, financially sound, and will allow me to remain as independent as I wish. I value their insight, respect their continuing research, and appreciate that they continuously study to remain informed and current about the markets and the financial future we can all look forward to.
Sue , Massachusetts
Mary and I have long thought that one of the best things we have done is to use Heritage Financial to take care of our financial affairs. In that regard, we feel Heritage Financial is doing an excellent job and quite frankly, we sleep well at night without any money worries. But more than that, we have met very nice, friendly, professional people at Heritage. Mary and I value these relationships very highly. The service that you both provided me today is deeply appreciated and more “frosting on the cake”.
Heritage Clients , Massachusetts
Our experience with Heritage Financial services, has been nothing short of admirable. We have been with Heritage Financial for a long period of time, in which we’ve developed a strong and lasting relationship and friendship with many of the wealth advisors there. The advisors have been kind, honest, trusting and compassionate. Their advice has helped us make important financial decisions. We have recommended Heritage Financial to many of our friends, and family, and we will continue to recommend them.
Heritage Clients , Massachusetts
Peace of mind and a feeling of security is what all of us wish for as each year flies by during these uncertain times. I wish I had not waited until 2019 before enlisting the help of HFS, but better late than never!
The team at HFS is approachable, accessible, professional and they can explain even the most complex financial topics in laymen terms. The HFS team practices the perfect blend of the science as well as art of financial planning. I thank them for taking me and my family on as clients!
From a grateful client and her entire family , Massachusetts
This testimonial has been given by a current client of Heritage Financial Services. No compensation was provided for this testimonial.
Awards & Recognition
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