Surgent's Top 10 Celebrity Estate Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Overview

This course uses the lives of the rich and famous as a template to better understand the realm of estate planning. With stories ripped from the headlines, we will examine pitfalls and best practices. Did you know that Prince died without a will, opening the door for 45 people claiming to be his beneficiaries? Or that Michael Jackson was not careful in properly funding his trust, leading to delays and legal battles in the administration of his estate? Even Abraham Lincoln, it turns out, did not have a will. In discussing an array of celebrities, from Jackie Kennedy, Joan Rivers, Jimi Hendrix, and Whitney Houston to Aretha Franklin, Barry White, Leona Helmsley, and Florence Griffith Joyner, the course is designed as an enjoyable learning experience with tips for all levels of expertise. We may not have their fame or fortune, but we can certainly walk the red carpet when it comes to estate planning.

Prerequisites

None

Objectives

• Understand the differences between a Power of Attorney, guardianship, and a will
• Understand the factors to consider in choosing an executor
• Understand why everyone should have a will
• Understand why a trust can be a powerful tool in administering the estate
• Understand how to care for a pet after death
• Review good practices in regards to estate claims and insurance

Highlights

• Overview of estate planning
• The dangers of a Power of Attorney
• The most important aspect of a will
• Role, scope, rights, and responsibilities of an executor
• Benefits of incorporating a trust
• Bequests
• Caring for a pet
• Claims against the estate
• Insurance
• Consequences of poor estate planning