Saturday, 1 September 2012

Being A Responsible Parent

By Jameson Littman


Protecting their family is the most important and precious thing that most people feel is worth protecting. For the children, securing their future is something that demands time and commitment to get it right. A good rule of thumb to follow is that it is never too late to start.

Any rational thinking parent knows that the possibility of something happening to them is always present and possible in the real world and measures need to be taken to ensure that their children will be taken care of should this happen. Planning early is a must and the earlier the better. Don't wait until they are dating or asking to use the family vehicle to start planning. Smart parents start when the kids are still in diapers.

It is simple to start with the basics. Get a good life insurance policy and keep your health insurance current so you can take advantage of all of those annual screenings and tests. Have caretakers chosen for your kids in your Will and make sure they are agreeable and able to do the job if it does happen that they are needed.

Estate planning will allow you to give the gifts to your children that you want them to have and enjoy without the federal government extending a hand that will short change your children. This is an excellent way to minimize the government's efforts and maximize your efforts to your children and this is critical.

You are allowed by law to give your kids a certain amount each year that will be excluded from gift taxes. There are also, of course, some legal steps that must be taken so that these assets are not under the child's control. Making lifetime gifts can make a huge difference in future estate taxes if some of those gifts are appreciable, such as stocks.

So, there are a few things to consider in this situation. Do you want to have your child's potential guardian named to be in charge of these gifts until the child reaches the age of 18? Have you thought of other additional provisions that these assets should be distributed? A good way to this situation is to consult a professional. You can tell them what you would like, and then they can give you the legal advice and guidance that you need to keep your money and your loved ones safe.




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