Financial & Estate Planning

Is there sufficient provision made so that your family would be cared for if something would happen to you today?
Are beneficiaries appointed on the necessary policies and liquidity analysis conducted to provide for heirs and beneficiary needs?
Do you know how much the total cost of the administration of your estate will be?
Do you annually review your portfolio with your advisor to keep up with the changes in your life?
Is there enough provision made to settle all your debts if something happens to you today?
Have you given any thought to capital gains tax and estate duty implications
for your heirs and have any provision been made to provision been made to cover the cost?

According to Meyerowitz D, 1965, The Taxpayer estate planning can be defined as: “The arrangement, management, securement and disposition of a person’s estate so that he, his family and other beneficiaries may enjoy and continue to enjoy the maximum from his estate and his assets during his lifetime and after his death, no matter when death may occur.” The primary objective of estate planning is to produce a cost-effective plan that is in accordance with a client’s circumstances and objectives.

Objectives of your estate plan should include the following:

Strategy to ensure the growth and protection of client’s assets.
Liquidity of plan including making provision for debts, taxes, accrual claims, administration costs and income requirements for dependents and beneficiaries.
Provision for efficient administration of the estate. Ensure that client has a valid will and an experienced executor of the estate is appointed.
The estate plan must be flexible to adapt to the continuous changes of circumstances of clients.
Strategy for minimizing costs including taxes. The following are the most important taxes and costs to consider namely: Estate duty levied at a rate of 20% of dutiable amount not exceeding R30 mil. 25% above R30 mil. Capital gains tax levied at a maximum effective rate of 18% for individuals, 21.60% for companies and 36% for trusts. Donation tax levied at 20%. Executor fees at a maximum of 3.99% of estate value. Transfer duty at a maximum of 13% of the market value of property.