Spring has begun to blossom and although we had a very mild winter, the improved weather is a welcome change.  And while we are only a few weeks into the new season, thoughts of summer and various travel plans have begun to enter many of our minds.

This time of year is a very common time for reviewing, adjusting and creating estate plans.  With tax season nearly over, getting your estate plan in order is a good next step to ensure all your planning is properly in place for the remainder of the year.

Below is a to-do list for your estate plan.  Some of the items may not be applicable to your specific situation, but all are worth considering.

1. Review your current estate planning documents with your attorney-For a typical individual or family, an estate plan should be reviewed every 3-4 years.  If you have had major life changes or your planning is complicated by health, money or interpersonal issue, you should review your plan even more frequently.

2. Complete your beneficiary designations for “transfer on death” accounts-One of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve your estate plan is to ensure that the beneficiary designations for all “transfer on death” accounts are properly completed.  Certain bank accounts, retirements accounts and life insurance all pass outside of a probate estate as long as the beneficiary designations are executed.  If you fail to designate beneficiaries, these accounts and assets will pass to your estate through the probate process, delaying their transfer.

3. Review all deeds and real estate documents-Real estate that is owned with a right of survivorship will pass outside the probate process.  To ensure a smooth transition, it is important make sure all jointly owned real estate is titled as a tenancy by the entirety property (for married couples) or as joint tenancy property (for non-married couples).

People who own multiple pieces of real estate may wish to consider consolidating their properties in a trust or an entity such as an LLC.  This is especially important if you real estate in multiple states or if you own real estate outside of New York.

4. Meet with your financial planner or insurance agent to discuss your insurance coverage-Like an estate plan, it is crucial that your insurance policies (life, disability and long-term care) are periodically reviewed alongside your trusted advisor.  This allows the advisor to determine if you have sufficient coverage for your current situation and allows the client to determine if they are satisfied with their current policies.

5. Speak with your current or named fiduciaries-In time between a person is named a fiduciary under a will and trust and the time when they actually are asked to serve, the named fiduciary’s relationship with you and their personal circumstances may change.  While most named fiduciaries are close friends or relatives, it is helpful to frequently confirm their willingness and ability to serve.

For those with existing fiduciary relationships, frequent communication about the fiduciary’s administration of an estate or trust is a good way to avoid conflict at a later date.  It also gives the fiduciary the ability to communicate any suggestions or concerns they may have with their current role.

6. File Gift Tax and Fiduciary Income Tax Returns-If you and your spouse have made any large-scale gifts during 2011, it will be necessary to file a gift tax return.  Similarly, nongrantor trusts and estates are required to file fiduciary income tax returns since the income of each will be taxed as a separate entity.

The April 17^th filing deadline for personal income tax returns also applies to gift and fiduciary income tax returns.  So while it may be too late to have a return filed before then, it is not too late to file for an extension.

7. Plan your 2012 gifts-With 2012 almost a third over, there remains nine months in which large scale gifts may be made that take advantage of the current $5.12 million gift tax exemption.  On January 1, 2013, absent an intervening action, the exemption drops to $1 million.

For those looking to make more modest gifts, utilizing your annual gift tax exclusion is a great way to benefit your children and reduce the size of your taxable estate.  Individuals may gift $13,000 to as many beneficiaries as they like while married couples can gift up to $26,000 per beneficiary.

8. Plan 2012 charitable gifts-Philanthropically minded individuals should consider the different ways of benefiting charities while also creating tax benefits for themselves.  Individual gifts, charitable annuities, the use of charitable trusts and the creation of a private foundation are all great ways to benefit the causes or organizations that matter most to you.

9. Consider Lifetime Trust Planning-Whether planning for your child’s education, removing your life insurance from your taxable estate or making gifts to your children, lifetime trust planning provides a great mechanism for protecting assets while also providing your children and other relatives with a significant financial benefit.  This is especially true this year while the lifetime gift tax exemption is at an all time high and interest rates are at a historic low.

10. Update your business succession/organization plan-Business owners should be aware of the potential negative consequences of not having a succession plan in place.  Failure to plan for your business, much like failing to create an estate plan, could create unexpected and undesired consequences for your family, business and associates.

A good estate plan requires consistent review and updates to ensure yourwishes are properly enacted.  Before you make your summer plans, make sure that your estate plan is up to date.  It will be one less thing that will keep you from having a great summer.

Please contact info@levyestatelaw.com for more information about estate planning.