108 | Q&A: How Do I Do Estate Planning On A Budget? What About Trusts? Do I Need A Lawyer? Can I DIY it Myself? Can I Avoid Taxes?

⁠Grab Our Signature Budget Template Now!⁠ We're back for another Q&A episode all about estate planning and the desire to avoid probate and taxes. Key Points: Thinking about this is great b/c you're forward thinking and preparing for the future. Estate planning helps you avoiding burdening your children or loved ones with complex legal procedures. Lawyers are necessary in some cases, while others can be handled with DIY resources. Probate is the legal process that occurs after someone's death, involving asset distribution. Waiting for probate to resolve can take months to years and may incur substantial costs. Hiring a lawyer during probate usually involves paying a percentage of the total assets. DIY resources can be suitable for simple wills and some real estate matters, but caution is advised. Why we recommend hiring a lawyer in this instance. A trust allows you to bypass probate entirely. Establishing a trust requires upfront costs, typically around $4,000 to $5,000. With a trust in place, assets can be transferred immediately without going through probate. Any lawyer in the country can handle the trust's distribution without additional charges. Not planning your estate properly can lead to financial messes and family stress. Long probate periods can create conflicts among family members. The cost of avoiding estate planning can far outweigh the initial investment. Estate planning is a crucial step to protect your assets, minimize taxes, and avoid probate-related complications. While hiring an attorney can be expensive, DIY resources may not be sufficient for complex situations. It is essential to weigh the costs and benefits and make an informed decision based on your specific circumstances. By taking responsibility now, you can simplify the process and ensure a smoother transition for your loved ones in the future. 4 Ways To Connect With Us: 1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall  2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook  3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget  4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching  "I love Shana & Vanessa and this podcast is amazing!" < If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! It helps us to reach more people – just like you – to help them change their financial future. Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes! And, if you’re feeling really generous, we’d be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.  Click here to view our privacy policy. This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase!