Are you the owner of a rental property? If yes, have you considered estate planning? Estate planning is a crucial aspect of financial management. Regrettably, many focus solely on assets like cars and homes they are living in, overlooking the specific considerations associated with an active rental property. Yet, with diligent planning and foresight, property owners can facilitate a smooth transfer of rented-out homes!
Understanding Estate Planning for Rental Properties
Estate planning clearly defines how you want your assets to be managed and taken care of after you pass away. Basically, you make some arrangements like insurance policies, trust, will, etc, in order to distribute your estate after your demise.
According to a report by Statista, there are approximately 50 M residential rental units in the United States. Another report by D.A. Davidson & Co. shows that only about 34% of American adults have an estate plan. However, estate planning for rental properties is crucial because they are subject to certain taxation policies as they are true business assets. When you plan things strategically, you can reduce the tax burden and payment of unnecessary fees on your future generations. It also protects your assets in a lawsuit or any other dispute.
Key Components of Estate Planning for Rental Properties
To protect your investments and smoothly transfer your assets to heirs, you must know some essential aspects of estate planning for rental properties.
- Inventory & Valuation:
To justify your estate plan, you can start by creating an inventory for your rental property. You need to ensure that your inventory is unbiased and according to professional guidelines. The report should have all the information about the contents of your property, including decor, furniture, etc.
Valuation is another key aspect of an estate plan. It involves stating the value of your rental property and how much your heir will receive after the transfer. A correct valuation ensures that each asset is properly stated to avoid future tax-related challenges.
- Will & Trusts:
A will and a trust are important components of every estate plan. A Will is a legal document that includes the testator’s wishes, also known as a “writer.” Through this document, the testator clarifies the distribution of the assets after his death.
On the other hand, a trust is a fiduciary setup that allows a third party to hold assets on behalf of a beneficiary. If you are making the trust, then you will be recognized as the “grantor.” The one who receives the trust is called the “trustee.” Are you finding these documents to be similar? Wait, we will clarify the difference. A will doesn’t go into effect until you die, whereas a trust will be effective immediately once you sign and fund it.
- Succession Planning:
Succession planning involves transferring ownership of rental property from one person to another. The main purpose is to protect one’s own business interests. Don’t confuse succession planning with estate planning. Both are connected with the distribution of assets to future generations, but their scopes differ. Succession planning involves passing responsibility, whereas estate planning includes handling and managing your assets after death.
- Tax Planning:
Tax planning is a procedure for regulating your rental property during your lifetime. It is performed in a way that reduces the tax liabilities after you pass away. It will ensure that your beneficiaries won’t have to stress about the legal payments later on. Trusts are one of the effective ways to minimize estate taxation.
- Insurance Coverage:
It is necessary to protect your property as a rental asset owner. It would be best if you made sure that there is suitable insurance coverage. This will act as your first line of defense in legal terms. Your other assets can be at stake if you don’t have enough liability insurance. So, to avoid losing your personal resources, get full insurance coverage for your rental property.
- Business Entities
Business entities form an important part of a successful plan. It is suggested that you provide ownership of your property in the hands of a business entity that is credible and reliable. This way, your assets won’t get exposed in front of creditors. So you can consider owning a rental property through a right business entity, like an LLC. It will protect your assets from unwanted legal interference.
The Importance of Professional Guidance
Are you feeling confused about the procedure that goes behind estate planning? Don’t stress out. When you have the right guidance, things can become lighter. It would be best if you looked out for professional experts when creating a plan for your rental property. They can provide you with valuable information and assistance required to tackle the complexities of estate planning. They also offer help in understanding tax policies, drafting documents, etc. Making mistakes is common when you don’t have professional guidance. It can result in expensive legal battles and even payment of unnecessary taxes. So, avoid such a scenario by contacting estate planning experts.
Reviewing and Updating Your Estate Plan
If you think your job is done after establishing an estate plan for your property, it’s not! Once you have completed the process, you should revisit and review your plan at regular intervals. You can do it on an annual or monthly basis. It completely depends upon your preferences. Generally, it is recommended that you should revisit your plan every three years or at the time a major life event has occurred. It is also suggested that you update your plan for life events like an increase or decrease in the value of assets, the birth of a grandchild, the marriage of your son/daughter, etc.
Conclusion
This was all about the estate planning of a rental property. We hope you make a better decision and ensure a convenient transfer of your assets. Once you know the major components of estate planning, you can plan your strategies accordingly. This will protect your assets and your loved ones.