Consider the value of your estate and the amount of work it has taken to reach this point. Now, consider who you would like to inherit your estate.

Although you create a plan to meet financial needs, you base your decisions on your feelings toward the things that mean the most to you; your family, your business, and your community. Your estate builds a legacy for your heirs and must be uniquely yours taking into account your material assets and values.

You need to find out what your estate is worth in order to determine what you can and should do with it. The size of your estate will determine how much, if any of your estate, will be taxable upon your death.

To determine the size of your estate, you need to calculate the value of what you own by identifying what types of property ownership are included in your estate.

• Do you own your assets outright?
• Are you married and living in a community where marital property laws apply?
• Do you own some things jointly?

Your findings will help you decide what you can and should do with respect to transferring your estate.