How your advisor can help

Your Truist Wealth advisor can put together a team of specialists (attorneys, tax experts, accountants) to provide effective estate planning guidance.Disclosure 1

If you’re a business owner, your advisor can bring in business transition advisors to help you move into your business’s next stage.

Learn about your family

We’ll talk about your family history and any dynamics that would help in making decisions about your estate plan.

Listening to you

Your advisor will help you identify your financial and non-financial objectives through wide-ranging listening sessions.

Understand your purpose and values

We’ll help you explore what’s important to you and how you want to be remembered—as well as ways you can act on your purpose.

Estate planning overview

If you own property—including liquid and non-liquid assets—you should have an estate plan. Without one, your property could be distributed according to your state’s intestacy laws without regard to family needs or your desires.

Wills

A will allows you to choose the people or organization who’ll receive your assets after your death.

Trusts

A trust is a legal document that specifies how and to whom your assets will be transferred, including your investment portfolio, collectibles, and business interests. 

Powers of attorney

A power of attorney, such as a durable power of attorney for health care, allows you to appoint someone to manage your property, medical, or financial affairs.

How purpose can drive your estate decisions

Using purpose as a north star will help you make those decisions and align them with the legacy you want.

Wills vs. trusts

While wills and trusts have certain similarities, there are also important differences between the two to consider.

Wills

  • Recommended if you’re married, have children, or own property
  • Take effect after your death
  • Depending on your state of residence and other factors, most will go through probate

Trusts

  • Recommended if you have a larger or more complicated estate
  • Take effect while you’re still alive
  • Give you more control over your assets and can help avoid probate and estate taxes

Disability planning

What happens if I’m disabled?

You can designate people to have powers of attorney (POAs) on your behalf.

Ordinary powers of attorney

An ordinary POA expires if you’re disabled because of illness, mental decline, an accident, or something similar.

Durable powers of attorney

A durable POA continues to be effective when you’re disabled.

Estate settlement

After the death of a loved one, the task of administering the trust or estate often falls to a less-than-experienced family member.

By understanding the estate settlement process more fully, you can help ease the strain on your family and facilitate a more orderly settlement.

Looking for our estate planning checklist?