What are your goals for your wealth?

Estate planning doesn't have to be difficult. Start with a clear purpose, and we'll guide you to a plan that meets your family's needs.

We're here to help. Talk with your Vanguard team.

Call 866-226-2759

Points to know

  • Estate planning maximizes the benefits of your wealth for your beneficiaries.
  • Taking time to consider what's most important to you can help you define your legacy

One primary goal inspires all others

At the heart of all estate planning is one common goal: making sure the people and organizations you choose as beneficiaries receive the greatest benefit from your accumulated wealth.

As you explore your estate planning options, here are some common principles to consider that can guide your decisions as you move forward.

Envisioning your legacy

How do you envision your legacy? It's a big question, and it's okay if you don't have the answer right away.

Here are a few considerations to help you formulate your vision or fine-tune your existing ideas.

Taking care of your family

For most people, providing for family members is a top priority. As you formulate your wealth transition plan, ask yourself these questions:

  • Have I decided who will inherit my money and other assets?
  • Am I concerned about my heirs' ability to manage or protect my wealth?
  • Do any of my family members have special needs?
  • Are there specific assets I'd like to give to certain individuals?
  • Do I need to shield my assets from a divorced spouse or a beneficiary's future creditors?
  • Do I want to manage the timing of distributions to beneficiaries of different ages?
  • Are there specific goals I'd like to help potential beneficiaries accomplish?
  • Do I need to create a transition plan for my family business?

Philanthropy

One of the great benefits of wealth is the ability to make a difference by supporting worthy causes.

If you're currently involved in philanthropy or want to make charitable giving a part of your legacy, ask yourself the questions below. Later we'll discuss giving strategies for making the most of your charitable contributions.

  • What charitable organizations do I currently support, and how can I keep the momentum going?
  • Do I want to support other charities or causes?
  • Do I want to achieve a specific philanthropic goal?
  • Is my family involved in my current philanthropic giving plan?

Involving your family in philanthropy

Preserving your assets

Minimizing taxes

You want your assets to stay with the people and organizations you choose. But taxes can reduce how much they actually receive.

Learn more about estate and gift taxes

Investing for future generations

If you're hoping to create a legacy that benefits multiple generations, you're investing with long-term goals in mind.

How will the investment decisions you make today affect future generations?

See how risk, reward & time are related

Get more from Vanguard

✓ Custom financial plan

✓ Ongoing portfolio management

✓ Investment coaching

✓ Real-time goal tracking

✓ All at a low cost

 

Reach your goals with advice from Vanguard

Get more from Vanguard

✓ Custom financial plan

✓ Ongoing portfolio management

✓ Investment coaching

✓ Real-time goal tracking

✓ All at a low cost

 

Reach your goals with advice from Vanguard

Get more from Vanguard

✓ Custom financial plan

✓ Ongoing portfolio management

✓ Investment coaching

✓ Real-time goal tracking

✓ All at a low cost

 

Reach your goals with advice from Vanguard

Explore more topics

The people involved in your estate plan

Get to know the roles and responsibilities of the people involved in estate planning.

Create a lasting legacy through estate planning

You've worked hard to accumulate your assets. Now make sure they'll go to the people or organizations that mean the most to you.

Planning for potential incapacitation

You'll want to plan ahead in case you become unexpectedly incapacitated. Here's how to enable a family member to step in for you.

Vanguard family legacy services

We're here to help. Talk with your Vanguard team.

Call 866-226-2759


View your account or schedule time to talk with your relationship team.

Vanguard family legacy services

We're here to help. Talk with your Vanguard team.

Call 866-226-2759


View your account or schedule time to talk with your relationship team.

Vanguard's advice services are provided by Vanguard Advisers, Inc. ("VAI"), a registered investment advisor, or by Vanguard National Trust Company ("VNTC"), a federally chartered, limited-purpose trust company.

The services provided to clients will vary based upon the service selected, including management, fees, eligibility, and access to an advisor. Find VAI's Form CRS and each program's advisory brochure here for an overview.

VAI and VNTC are subsidiaries of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and affiliates of Vanguard Marketing Corporation. Neither VAI, VNTC, nor its affiliates guarantee profits or protection from losses.