ATS Wealth Management understands that estate planning can be complicated. Our team of professional estate planning advisors has years of experience in advanced asset management strategies and estate planning services in San Diego to help you pursue your long-term goals. We provide collaboration and support for our extended client family at every step. As an independent firm, we offer unbiased advice and only recommend products and strategies that are designed with your best interest in mind. Our goal is to help guide you on a path as you pursue financial success with a plan in place for asset distribution to heirs upon your passing. 

Please note this is not intended as tax or legal advice and that one should consult the appropriate professionals for guidance.

What is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the process of protecting a person’s assets during their lifetime and after death. This process involves deciding who will receive what assets and when those assets should be distributed. Estate planning also involves considering taxes, legal matters, guardianships for minors, and conservatorships for adults with diminished capacity, among other considerations.

Types of Estate Planning Strategies

We provide the help and guidance you need to create an estate plan that meets your unique family circumstances. Our team of professional financial planners are experts in advanced estate planning strategies and have decades of experience in the specialized field. We understand that estate planning differs from financial planning, so we approach it with care and sensitivity while tailoring our advice to each of our client’s needs.

Wills

A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets should be distributed upon death. It is essential to update wills regularly to reflect financial circumstances or family dynamics changes. Our experienced team can advise on the best way to put together an effective will that ensures your wishes are honored, and your loved ones are taken care of after you pass away.

Trusts

Trusts are powerful tools that can be used for estate planning and asset protection during life. We offer a wide range of trust solutions depending on your individual needs and goals, from irrevocable trusts to special needs trusts. With our expertise, you'll be able to structure your assets according to tax regulations to maximize wealth transfer between generations with minimal taxation implications.

Charitable Giving Strategies

Charitable giving can be a great way to leave a lasting legacy and support causes close to your heart. We offer comprehensive solutions for structuring philanthropic giving so you can do more good while reducing both income tax liability and transfer taxes such as gift taxes or estate taxes.

Tax Minimization Strategies

Estate planning also involves minimizing potential tax liabilities during life and death, allowing more wealth transfer between generations with less taxation burden overall. This often requires long-term strategic management of assets, working around complex IRS regulations regarding gifting, using trusts effectively, leveraging assets deemed non-taxable Reviewed By the government, etc., all of which our team members are expertly qualified to advise on.

We know that managing estates responsibly goes beyond merely meeting legal requirements; it’s about being proactive in preserving the legacy you leave behind for future generations while taking care of those closest to you when it matters most. By providing collaborative support tailored specifically toward each family’s situation, we strive to ensure our clients achieve their long-term objectives with confidence and peace of mind knowing their wishes have been heard and respected throughout the process.

Considerations for Estate Planning

Building your estate plan is much more than drafting legal documents; the human element must also be considered. When planning your estate, it is essential to consider financial assets and emotional factors. Here are a few topics to explore:
  • Who will take care of you and your family if something happens?
  • How do you wish to handle long-term medical care?
  • What is the desired disposition of your assets?
  • How do you wish to provide for minors or disadvantaged individuals?
  • What about funeral arrangements and other final wishes?
  • Who should handle the administration of your estate?
These are all important questions that, in combination with legal documents, should be discussed thoroughly before making any decisions. With so many factors to consider, having an experienced team of estate planners on your side is invaluable. We have the knowledge and resources to help you create a comprehensive plan that meets your unique needs and provides peace of mind for years to come.

Family Dynamics

Estate planning involves more than just organizing finances and assets—it also requires consideration of how your family fits into the plan. Even if you are single, your estate plan should incorporate your wishes and desires for beneficiaries and executors. If you’re married, you may want to consider how to divide assets between spouses or if there is a need for a trust fund. Regarding families with children, it’s crucial to ensure guardianship plans are in place and protect their interests.

Timing – it's essential to start planning as early as possible

Estate planning isn’t something you can put off until later in life; it’s an essential part of financial preparedness that should be started early on. With our team of experienced professionals working closely with you, we can ensure all documents are updated regularly and that your changing needs are taken into account over time. We can guide on when is the right time to make changes to your estate plan so that your wishes are honored upon passing while minimizing tax implications and preserving more assets for future generations.

Working with a qualified attorney in addition to ATS Wealth Management staff

One of the most powerful benefits of working with us is that we provide comprehensive support throughout the estate planning process. This includes enlisting the services of an attorney knowledgeable about local laws and regulations related to wills and trusts. An experienced attorney helps ensure that all legal documents associated with the estate plan are up-to-date and accurate according to local laws and standards. They can advise on any potential issues or conflicts related to complex asset distributions or beneficiary disputes so these can quickly be resolved before they become major problems.

Making sure that all beneficiaries are updated regularly on the estate plan

As important as it is to have an up-to-date will or trust agreement drafted Reviewed By an experienced lawyer, it’s equally as vital that beneficiaries remain aware of any changes made along the way—especially the guardians of minors, who may not be mature enough yet to comprehend what their stakeholdings mean in terms of inheritance rights upon the death of a parent or guardian. By staying connected with those impacted Reviewed By your estate plan, we help keep them informed about any updates while also encouraging conversations around money management strategies they can use now, so they have better financial literacy later in life when dealing with their inheritance funds.

Estate Calculators

Estate Tax Liability Calculator

Estate Tax Planning – Knowing your potential estate tax liability is a great place to start your estate tax plan. Use this calculator to estimate your estate tax liability.
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Next Steps

Our priority is helping families create comprehensive estate plans tailored specifically for their circumstances so everyone involved knows what happens when someone passes away unexpectedly or reaches retirement age without planning ahead financially for themselves or their loved ones. We offer decades of experience in asset management strategies combined with sound advice from highly qualified legal counsel so our clients can rest assured knowing everything necessary is being done presently in their best interests today and tomorrow.