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Planning For Life
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Planning for Life
Death is a
fact of life. Everyone will experience it, and every family will be forced to sift through
the affiars of a loved one after his death. Louisiana and federal law cannot eliminate the
pain of a family's loss. However, substantial stress and uncertainty may be eliminated
with appropriate estate planning.
A
comprehensive Estate Plan, may, among other things, eliminate disputes, eliminate or
reduce taxes, and alleviate other concerns following death. Simply stated, your
intentions, wishes and desires will be effectuated.
The first step in the estate planning process is to gather your
thoughts. The following list of documents will help you in this task. The next step is to
speak with an attorney qualified to help you in accomplishing your wishes.
Thinking of the end of our lives is difficult. However, with
proper planning, uncertainties, worries, expenses and taxes may be reduced or eliminated
and we can truly Plan For Life.
Essential Documentation
Names, addresses and phone numbers of your
personal attorney, accountant, banker, stockbroker and insurance agent
List of all bank accounts with account
numbers, PIN's if applicable and location of original certificates of deposit or other
evidence of ownership of accounts
List of all insurance policies (including
policy numbers, location of original policies and name of agent for each policy) regarding
health insurance, life insurance and property/casualty insurance
Your social security number
Federal or state taxpayer identification
numbers
Copy of your Will, Living Will and any
Powers of Attorney, and the location of original documents
Your burial instructions and any pre-need
arrangements you have made
Copies of marriage licenses, pre-nuptial
agreements, judgments of divorce, birth certificates, baptism certificates and
adoption decrees, and the location of the originals
List of all stocks, bonds or mutual funds
owned by you and the location of originals
List of inter vivos or lifetime trusts you
may have executed or any trust of which you are the beneficiary
List of ownership interests you may have
in any business venture
List of retirement plans, deferred
compensation plans or employee benefits you may be entitled to
List of immovable property owned by you
with current values, income tax basis and date of purchase
Copies of vehicle titles and location of
originals
Copies of contracts you are a party to
Copies of leases you are a party to
List of mineral interests you may own
List of annuities to which you are
entitled or which affect you
List of your debts
Copies of current financial statements
including balance sheet and income statement
Copies of Federal and State Income Tax
Returns
Copies of Federal and State Gift Tax
Returns filed during your lifetime
Any special family problems or concerns
you have
A brief family history including any
factual information which may be important to your family after you are gone
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