If you don’t make $1 million a year, only own one modest home and are still driving the same car you bought six years ago, you might think you don’t need to engage in “estate planning.”

Or you may think your family accountant or attorney will be the only professional you need to help you with this important task.

Not so on either account, says Joseph V. Falanga, a certified public accountant, Accredited Estate Planner and current president of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC). “Your ‘estate’ is much more than just the amount of cash you’ll leave to your loved ones,” Falanga says. “Estate planning ensures your investments, retirement savings, insurance policies, real estate, business interests and cash will all be handled according to your wishes when you’re gone. Just as you would seek out a specialist for a specific health need, you should look for professionals whose education and experience are specialized to the needs of people planning their estates.” [Read more...]