Estate and Legacy Planning

Pass on what you built, the way you intend.

You spent a lifetime building something worth passing on. Estate and legacy planning makes sure it reaches the people and causes you care about, with as little lost to taxes, delays, and confusion as possible. This is the Leave pillar of your Legacy Blueprint, and it is for anyone who wants their wishes honored, not only the very wealthy.

What estate and legacy planning is

It is the strategy for transferring your assets efficiently and according to your wishes. That includes keeping beneficiary designations current, coordinating with your will and any trusts, planning for taxes your heirs might face, and making sure the right people can act on your behalf if you cannot. Done well, it spares your family difficult guesswork at the hardest possible time.

Signs your estate plan needs attention

Your will or trust was written years ago and your life has changed since.

You are not certain your beneficiary designations match your current wishes.

III

You have never coordinated your accounts with your estate documents.

You want to leave money to family or charity but are unsure of the most efficient way.

How this fits The Legacy Blueprint

Estate planning is the Leave pillar, and it depends on the other two. The accounts you keep, the way they are titled, and the taxes your heirs will owe all flow from decisions made in the Keep and Grow pillars. We review your estate picture in Phase 2 and revisit beneficiaries every year in Phase 4.

What we coordinate

Our approach

We are not attorneys, and we do not draft legal documents. What we do is make sure your financial plan and your estate documents tell the same story, and we work alongside your estate attorney to close the gaps.

As a fiduciary, our focus is your intent and your family’s wellbeing, not a product sale.

Why a fiduciary approach matters here

Legacy decisions are deeply personal and easy to get wrong with generic advice or a product pitch. A fiduciary keeps the focus on your wishes and coordinates the financial and legal pieces so they actually work together.

You built the wealth. Now let’s build the plan that protects it.

Related services

Your plan is coordinated, so this service rarely works alone. It connects most closely with:

Tax Planning

Your highest-leverage years are often right now.

Insurance and Risk Management

A reliable, tax-aware paycheck.

Investment Management

Plan the exit before it becomes a tax event.

Estate planning FAQ

Do I need a trust?

Not everyone does. Whether a trust helps depends on your goals, your assets, and your family situation. We help you understand the options and coordinate with your attorney, who would draft any documents.

Do you write wills and trusts?

No. We are not a law firm. We coordinate your financial plan with the documents your estate attorney prepares, so the two are aligned. If you need an attorney, we can discuss what to look for.

Why do beneficiary designations matter so much?

Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance often override what your will says. If they are out of date, your money can go to the wrong person regardless of your intentions, which is why we review them regularly.

Is estate planning only for wealthy families?

No. Anyone who wants their wishes honored and their family spared confusion benefits from a plan. The strategies scale to your situation.

What happens if I become unable to manage my own affairs?

That is what powers of attorney and healthcare directives are for. We make sure your plan names the right people to act for you and that your accounts are set up so they can, which spares your family a difficult court process at a hard time.

How often should I review my estate plan?

At least every few years, and any time a major life event happens: a marriage, a divorce, a birth, a death, or a significant change in assets. We review beneficiary designations with you annually as part of the ongoing relationship.

Make sure your legacy is protected

Your free assessment can include a review of how well your plan and your estate wishes line up. About 15 minutes, no cost, no obligation.

Prefer to talk first?

Disclosures: Investment advisory services are offered through Kraus Capital, a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Kraus Capital and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

Brian Kraus is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. The CFP® marks are owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. and are used in accordance with CFP Board guidelines.

Charles Schwab serves as the independent custodian for client assets. Kraus Capital is not affiliated with, and does not receive compensation from, Charles Schwab for custodial services. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

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