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DEFINING YOUR LEGACY: A WOMEN'S PERSPECTIVE
If you're married, you may own many of your financial assets jointly with your spouse, which can help simplify things in the
event you pass away. But what about assets that are in your name only? What if you're single or widowed? Many women own
assets they hope to pass on to loved ones and causes they care about. Ensuring that your assets are handled according to your
wishes requires planning ahead. Yet, two common misconceptions prevent many people from taking adequate steps.
Myth 1: I have a Will. That’s all I need.
A Will takes effect only upon your death. Wills don't
protect the legacy you've built if you become
incapacitated.
Myth 2: Estate planning is for people with a lot of
money. A desire to make things easier for your loved
ones has nothing to do with your net worth.
Documenting and communicating your wishes
reduces the burden on them and gives you control.
Reasons to establish an estate strategy
An estate strategy gives you control. At its most
basic, an estate plan lets you decide how things
will be handled rather than the government. You
decide how you will take care of yourself and the
people and causes you care about.

An estate strategy may help you preserve the value of what you’ve worked so hard for. Without proper planning, a
significant portion of your assets could go to taxes or unnecessary expenses.
An estate strategy is designed to make things easier for your family because you can clearly spell out your wishes.
Start by educating yourself
Becoming educated about estate considerations as well as your various options is the first step. Here are some common tools
you may wish to discuss with an estate-planning lawyer:
Health care directive, or living will – A living will allows you to specify your wishes around actions your decision maker
would make regarding your health in the event you become unable to make decisions for yourself.
Health care power of attorney – With a health care power of attorney, you can name someone to make medical decisions
on your behalf, such as requesting or refusing medical treatment.
Trust – A trust can be set up to address a variety of needs, from supporting charities to setting guidelines about how your
assets are distributed to your heirs. Is setting up a trust right for you?
No one wants her loved ones to face burdens because she didn't adequately prepare. While Edward Jones does not offer
estate-planning services, we care about everything that's important to you. So, working with you, your lawyer and your tax
professional, we can help build financial strategies that take your legacy wishes into consideration.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local
Edward Jones financial advisor. Submitted by Scott Foster
Edward Jones, its employees, and financial advisors are not
estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. You
should consult your estate-planning lawyer or qualified tax
advisor regarding your situation.