4 Strategies to Avoid an Estate-Planning Mishap
Even after you're gone, you can still help provide for the people and causes you care about.

What do Abraham Lincoln, Bob Marley and Prince have in common? (Besides being respected and beloved, that is.)
They all died without a will.
Why would such celebrated men—all with complicated family and business relationships, not to mention plenty of experts around to advise them—delay or avoid putting their last wishes down on paper?
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Their reasoning, no doubt, was the same as it is for most people: They were busy. They were caught up in day-to-day life. They didn't want to think about it or take the time to sit down and just do it.
People tend to overestimate both the time and effort that go into putting together a will. They also underestimate the problems that can result if they don't have a plan in place.
In my opinion, while you're likely to hear loads about income and investments, you may not hear about things like taxes, health care, asset protection and leaving a legacy for family, friends and charity. It just doesn't happen.
How can you help make sure your transfer of wealth goes smoothly when you die? Here are four basic strategies to discuss with a licensed attorney and your financial adviser to help you avoid an estate-planning mishap.
1. Make sure you have a simple will in place.
This is the first line of defense. A will dictates your wishes and how you want your assets distributed when you die. Most people think wills are expensive, but for not much money, you can have a licensed attorney design your will exactly as you want it.
2. Create a living trust.
This legal document can protect your assets and avoid the probate process. (A will doesn't necessarily do that.) A lot of people think they don't need a living trust, but it can help ensure your assets are managed according to your wishes, even if you are no longer able to manage them yourself. It puts in place your health care surrogate and your power of attorney—the people who will be making decisions about your physical and financial life.
Famous or not, a trust can help you maintain your privacy—something you'll lose if your documents and family squabbles end up in probate court.
3. Properly title your accounts.
At the very least, make sure you have a trust in place or a "transfer on death" designation (which allows assets to pass directly to the beneficiaries named by the owner). Without one of these titles, an individual investment account is in danger of going to probate. Even with a joint account, when the second person dies, the money is at risk without a title. Similarly, people often don't properly name beneficiaries and contingent beneficiaries on IRAs and other tax-qualified accounts.
4. Put life insurance into play.
Life insurance policies are used to provide a death benefit for your loved ones and can add to the legacy you wish to pass down.
These policies can help cover final expenses, of course, such as funeral, burial and medical bills. An IRA owner facing a required minimum distribution (RMD) who doesn't need the income and wants to leave that money to beneficiaries may want to consider using those RMDs to purchase a life insurance policy.
If you're contemplating buying insurance, you probably are at a stage in life when you should be thinking about all four of these strategies. So set aside time now — for yourself and for your family—and meet with a qualified financial adviser who can work in concert with a licensed attorney. Once your plans are in place, review them every few years or so.
Don't wait.
Because when you're planning for the future, it's not just about your money; it's also about where you want that money to go after you're gone.
C. Grant Conness is co-founder of Global Wealth Management), an Investment Adviser Representative at Global Financial Private Capital and insurance professional. He has passed the Series 7, 63 and 65 securities exams.
Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article.
The appearances in Kiplinger were obtained through a PR program. The columnist received assistance from a public relations firm in preparing this piece for submission to Kiplinger.com. Kiplinger was not compensated in any way.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

C. Grant Conness is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Global Wealth Management (www.askglobalwealth.com), an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. He is the co-host of "The Global Wealth Show" airing on NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX. Grant is a regular Kiplinger contributor. He has been quoted in major publications such as "The Wall Street Journal." He currently resides in Fort Lauderdale with his wife, Jessica, and their four children.
-
Standard Deduction 2026 Amounts Are Here
Tax Breaks What is the standard deduction for your filing status in 2026?
-
New 2026 Tax Brackets Are Set: What to Know Now
Income Tax The IRS has adjusted federal income tax bracket ranges for the 2026 tax year to account for inflation. Here's what you need to know.
-
Where There's a Will, There's a Way Your Assets Will Be Distributed as You Wish
Your will is the backbone of a strong, adaptable estate plan that ensures what you leave behind goes to your selected beneficiaries. Without a will, state laws determine who gets your assets.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: This Is What You're Really Losing if You Cut Back on Your 401(k) Contributions
Missing out on the benefits of the employer match and compounding growth could force you to work longer and lower your standard of living in retirement. Here are some alternative options.
-
Preferred Bank Stocks: The Investment Retirees (and Others) May Be Missing Out On
Most large banks issue preferred stocks that pay out fixed dividends, often with higher yields than bonds. Should you make room for them in your portfolio?
-
Don't Let Your Equity Compensation Trip You Up: A Financial Expert's Guide
Stock options, RSUs and other executive perks can come with some serious strings attached. To avoid a nasty tax surprise, you need a plan.
-
The Spendthrift Trap: Here's One Way to Protect Your Legacy From an Irresponsible Heir
A spendthrift clause in an estate plan can protect an inheritance from a financially irresponsible child's debts and poor decisions.
-
Four Ways a Massive Emergency Fund Can Hurt You More Than It Helps
Saving too much could mean you're missing opportunities to put your money to work. Redirect some of that money toward paying off debt, building retirement funds, fulfilling a dream or investing in higher-growth options.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: How to Dodge a Retirement Danger You May Not Have Heard About
Timing is everything, and sequence of returns risk can mean the difference between a retirement nest egg that's overflowing … or empty.
-
Caring for Aging Parents: An Expert Guide to Easing the Financial and Emotional Strain
Early conversations, financial planning and understanding the progression of care needs can help to mitigate stress and protect family relationships.