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Estate Planning

13th October 2010
By AlterSage in Estate Planning
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Death is a sad inevitability. Have you considered what would happen to your family if you were to die unexpectedly? Would they have access to the resources and funds that they need, and would your estate be executed according to your wishes?

Preparing for the inevitable

It’s possible to add funeral plans into your estate planning or will. Funeral and estate planning are similar in that they can make your funeral much easier for your loved ones, as they won't have to fear the legal hassles which could follow your death if you haven’t made proper provisions.

When a loved one dies, it’s hard enough for the family without the added stress of financial uncertainty. Often the deceased’s assets, including the money in their bank account, are frozen and may be inaccessible for quite some time until all their affairs are in order.

It makes sense to plan accordingly to make sure that your family is well taken care of financially and that your final wishes are carried out in a dignified and fitting fashion.


Planning and budgeting for a funeral

The expense of a funeral alone can significantly add to the family’s burden. With a funeral insurance policy which pays out a cash lump sum upon the death of an insured person, it’s possible to ensure that you or your loved ones are given the dignified burial that is deserved, without placing additional strain on the family during this difficult time.

Once the funeral is over, especially if the deceased was the sole breadwinner, the family may still struggle for some time to find their feet while the affairs of the estate are being sorted out.

Certain funeral insurance plans offer a range of optional benefits which can help in this regard. For example, some funeral plans offer a Monthly Provider benefit which will pay a fixed monthly cash benefit to your family for a period of 12 months after your death. This money can be used to purchase groceries or for other essential monthly expenses.

It’s important to have a will

Your will determines how everything you’ve worked so hard to build up over the years will be distributed. Your heirs can be disadvantaged if you don’t make the appropriate provisions in your will. Without a proper will, your estate could undergo severe administrative, tax and legal problems – possibly resulting in financial losses.


In your will, you determine how your estate and assets will be divided amongst your heirs. You should also nominate an executor of your estate to ensure that all of this happens according to your wishes. If you don’t make these provisions in a will, your assets will be divided according to the Intestate Succession Act, which may not be desirable to you or your family.

It’s advisable to speak to an experienced and accredited funeral insurance advisor to find discover the best insurance solutions to ensure that your family are taken care of, even after you are gone.
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Source: http://www.goinglegal.com/estate-planning-1789893.html
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