Estate Planning on Your Terms

If you want to ensure your wishes are heard and your assets are protected after you’re gone, proper planning is important. Here’s where to start.

REVIEW YOUR PREVIOUS PREPARATIONS Consider your retirement and life insurance accounts—did you designate who ought to receive those funds if you pass away? If so, you’ve already begun the estate planning process.

ENSURE CONSISTENCY While a simple will is an incredibly important document in estate planning, it won’t take precedence over your previous preparations. Make sure that those preparations you’ve already made appropriately reflect your current wishes and beneficiaries.

COMMUNICATE YOUR WISHES Ask yourself: “If I’m not here, will these documents accurately communicate my wishes, and do I trust the people I’ve put in charge to use these assets correctly?” Your answers will tell you how you need to plan.

CONSIDER YOUR BUSINESS If you own a business and want it to remain in the family or continue to make a profit, you need to make sure you have the right team in place. Consider creating a management succession plan to keep the business running.

Sterling Private Bankers will personally coordinate with our experts on cash management, wealth services, lending and more to ensure your needs are met. Visit us at snb.com/personal-banking.