Many people think that estate planning is only for the wealthy or only for older individuals. They may also feel that it is much too complicated and expensive.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Bob Burton breaks down estate planning into its essential components — the A-B-C-Ds of Estate Planning. Utilizing this breakdown will give your clients the ability to view their estate planning with a wide angle lens.

A. = Accumulate

Estate planning really begins with the Accumulation of asset values, and actually occurs every time you write a life insurance policy.

B. = Benefit
When sufficient net worth has been achieved and family obligations permit, one should think about reaping the Benefits of one’s wealth accumulation efforts with careful and thorough retirement planning.

C. = Conserve
The uncertainties of life and aging coupled with the high cost of dying make it necessary to take active steps to Conserve your accumulated property for yourself and your family during your lifetime, and ultimately for your heirs and beneficiaries.

D. = Distribute
The final step in the estate planning process is to arrange for the desired and orderly Distribution of your estate to the chosen objects of your bounty; even the beneficiary designation in a life insurance policy or for retirement plan assets is an act of estate distribution of those assets.