Estate Planning Essentials for Your Legacy

“Estate planning is an important and everlasting gift you can give your family. And setting up a smooth inheritance isn’t as hard as you might think” ― Suze Orman

3 min read

Estate Planning Essentials for Your Legacy

“Estate planning is an important and everlasting gift you can give your family. And setting up a smooth inheritance isn’t as hard as you might think” ― Suze Orman

3 min read

Estate planning is a vital aspect of financial planning that often receives less attention than other areas. Whilst topics like budgeting, investing and retirement planning are quite commonly referenced and may seem more immediate, neglecting estate planning can have significant consequences for your loved ones and the legacy you leave behind.

Today, we are here to give you the estate planning essentials you need to ensure this area of your planning can be managed effectively.

First Things First, Draft a Will

Drafting a Will is a great place to start with your estate planning. It will allow you to specify how your assets will be distributed among your beneficiaries should the worst occur. A well-written Will should outline your wishes regarding property, finances, and personal belongings, leaving no room for ambiguity or disputes amongst your heirs.

In addition to asset distribution, your Will can address other important considerations, such as the appointment of guardians for minor children and the designation of an executor to manage your estate.

We recommend seeking legal advice to ensure that your Will complies with applicable laws and accurately reflects your intentions, though this is not always necessary. You should also review your will on an ongoing basis to reflect any changes in your circumstances.

Establishing Trusts for Asset Protection

Establishing trusts can be an effective way to protect your assets and provide for your beneficiaries in a controlled manner. Trusts offer flexibility in asset management, allowing you to specify conditions for distributions and appoint trustees to oversee the administration of assets.

By placing assets in trusts, you can shield them from creditors, minimise estate taxes, and ensure that they are preserved for the intended beneficiaries. There are various types of trusts available, each serving different purposes and offering unique benefits.

For this, we recommend consulting with a legal Adviser or Patterson Mills Financial Adviser to help you determine the most suitable trust structure for your estate planning requirements.

Maximising Tax Efficiency through Estate Planning Strategies

Estate planning offers opportunities to minimise tax liabilities and maximise the value of your estate for future generations. By employing various tax-efficient strategies, you can reduce the impact of estate taxes, income taxes, and capital gains taxes on your assets, preserving more wealth for your heirs. Strategies include gifting, charitable giving, and the use of trusts (as above). These can help you achieve your objectives whils also leaving a lasting legacy.

One common tax-saving strategy in estate planning is the annual gifting of assets to beneficiaries, which can help reduce the size of your taxable estate over time. It is important that you check whether this is applicable in your country of residence.

Additionally, charitable giving through vehicles such as donor-advised funds or charitable trusts can provide tax benefits while supporting causes that align with your values. By incorporating these strategies into your estate plan and working closely with tax professionals, you can optimize the tax efficiency of your estate and leave a lasting financial legacy for future generations.

Planning for Potential Incapacity in Advance

In addition to addressing the distribution of assets after death, estate planning also involves preparing for potential incapacity during your lifetime. Authorisations such as a power of attorney allow you to designate those you trust to make financial and medical decisions on your behalf, should you be unable to do so. These documents ensure that your wishes are respected and that your affairs are managed according to your preferences even if you are unable to communicate them directly.

Authorisations such as these are essential for everyone, regardless of age or health status, as unexpected events can occur at any time. By proactively planning, you can avoid potential conflicts and legal complications whilst ensuring that your interests are protected and your financial and healthcare decisions are handled by those that you trust.

Reviewing and Updating Your Estate Plan Regularly

Estate planning is not a one-off exercise. Rather, it is an ongoing process that requires regular review and updates to reflect changes in your life circumstances and financial situation. Life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children, or significant changes in assets should prompt a reassessment of your estate plan to ensure that it remains relevant.

To ensure that your estate planning requirements are managed professionally and effectively, get in touch with Patterson Mills and book your initial, no-cost and no-obligation meeting. You will thank yourself later!

Send us an e-mail to contactus@pattersonmills.ch or call us direct at +41 21 801 36 84 and we shall be pleased to assist you.

Please note that all content within this article has been prepared for information purposes only. This article does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Always ensure you speak to a regulated Financial Adviser before making any financial decisions.

The Impact of Global Events on Financial Markets

“The markets are like a weather; you may not like it but you have to bear it” ― Rakesh Jhunjhunwala

5 min read

The Impact of Global Events on Financial Markets

“The markets are like a weather; you may not like it but you have to bear it” ― Rakesh Jhunjhunwala

5 min read

Global events, ranging from political upheavals and geopolitical tensions to natural disasters and beyond, have an undeniable impact on financial markets worldwide. Such events can trigger significant volatility in financial markets and your investments, causing fluctuations in stock prices, currency exchange rates, and commodity markets.

The interconnectedness of global economies means that disruptions in one area can quickly ripple across borders, affecting investors and businesses worldwide. Hence, it is important that you are aware of how global events influence market dynamics to be able to navigate uncertainty with confidence and continue making informed decisions.

Luckily, that is what our article is all about! Make sure you read to the end to gain a complete understanding of the what, the how and the why about the impact of global events on financial markets, and how you can optimise your investments effectively.

Heightened Market Volatility

Global events often trigger heightened market volatility as investors around the world react to uncertainty and risk. Sharp fluctuations in stock prices, currency exchange rates, and commodity markets are common during such periods.

However, it’s crucial to differentiate between short-term market reactions and long-term investment fundamentals.

Avoid making impulsive decisions based solely on market volatility or news headlines and stay focused on your long-term financial plan and investment goals whilst maintaining your diversified portfolio. In this way, you can weather the storm (short-term fluctuations) and position yourself for long-term financial success.

In fact, you may find opportunities to acquire some assets at discounted prices, thereby capitalising on market volatility to enhance long-term returns. However, such action should only be taken in discussion with your Patterson Mills Adviser.

Ultimately, by understanding the impact of global events on market volatility and maintaining a disciplined investment approach, the aim is then that you are able to navigate uncertain times with confidence and resilience.

Examining Historical Events

We can learn much from looking at historical events. There are important lessons about market behaviour and the effectiveness of various investment strategies during times of crisis. For instance, the 2008 financial crisis highlighted the importance of risk management and the potential pitfalls of excessive leverage in financial markets. Similarly, the recent pandemic underscored the significance of diversification and the resilience of certain sectors, such as technology.

Geopolitical tensions, such as trade disputes or military conflicts, have also shown how market sentiment can shift rapidly in response to geopolitical developments, emphasising the need for vigilance and adaptability in investment decision-making.

Overall, drawing such insights from historical events will enable you to perhaps better anticipate market reactions, mitigate risks, and capitalise on opportunities in what has proven to be an ever-changing global landscape.

Strategies You Can Use To Navigate Uncertainty

As usual, we aren’t just going to tell you what happens without providing any strategies to mitigate the negative impact on your investments!

In short, diversification, asset allocation, and risk management play crucial roles in mitigating downside risks and capturing potential upside opportunities. Additionally, staying informed, maintaining a long-term perspective, and avoiding impulsive reactions are essential principles for successful investing.

For some more detail, maintaining a diversified investment portfolio across different asset classes can help spread risk and reduce the impact of market volatility on overall returns. If one asset you hold goes down, the objective is that other assets you hold will have gone up! What’s more, asset allocation strategies that are tailored to your risk tolerance and investment objectives provide a framework for balancing risk and reward effectively.

You can also take more proactive risk management measures, such as setting stop-loss orders or regularly monitoring and rebalancing your portfolio.

There are many more strategies you could use, though this article would become substantially longer, so contact Patterson Mills to find out more!

Looking Ahead

As global events continue to shape financial markets, you should consider focusing on building a resilient portfolio with your Patterson Mills Adviser.

Whilst the strategies and information presented in this article can be a useful guide in helping you build such a portfolio, nothing is guaranteed. However, for the best possible chance of success, get in touch with Patterson Mills and book your initial, no-cost and no-obligation meeting. You will be pleased that you did!

Send us an e-mail to contactus@pattersonmills.ch or call us direct at +41 21 801 36 84 and we shall be pleased to assist you.