Estate planning is for everyone! You have spent your entire life taking care of your family, why have someone else decide who gets your assets? Widmer Roel works with your attorney, insurance professional and trust officer to ensure your assets transfer to the next generation at minimal estate transfer and income tax costs.
We can assist you with the development of wealth preservation and transfer techniques. Will your family need financial, medical or educational assistance or is it appropriate to pass the assets directly to your heirs? Trusts are often a part of the solution. Let us assist you to determine whether revocable, irrevocable, irrevocable life insurance, grantor retained annuity, generation skipping, special needs or Dynasty Trusts are the best methods to transfer your assets. If you have charitable intentions perhaps a charitable remainder trust, charitable lead trust, donor advised fund or a private foundation can be used.
Often times the family business or farm business is the largest asset a family owns. Eventually every business will be sold or transferred to another owner. It is difficult to transfer a business. Do you really want your spouse or children to manage it or sell it? There are so many factors of a business that have value or create value.
- Does the business have someone already in the business that could lead the company?
- Does the business have employees to run the operations without the owner?
- Are there strong earnings and have risks been minimized?
- Is technology, facilities and equipment up-to-date?
- Is there effective management and system controls in place?
We can assist you with developing a succession plan, implementing strong accounting controls and budget processes. Start the transfer planning early. Write it down. Tell your family or business partners. When you are ready, Widmer Roel has valuation specialists to determine its value.
Liquidity is a real concern if you have a taxable estate. Life insurance and financial account beneficiary planning may conflict with estate tax needs.
Remember, size does not matter. All family wealth is important to preserve and transfer.
