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Craig W. Schubert
Financial Planner
Business & Financial Strategies, LLC
Providing Insurance & Financial Services
1657 Crofton Blvd, Suite 200
Crofton, MD 21114
Phone: 410-841-0032
Fax: 410-841-0030
March/April 2025
Heirs or Beneficiaries?
The terms heirs and beneficiaries are interchangeable – right? Not necessarily when it comes to distributing your property after death. So, knowing the difference between the two is essential in estate planning.
The Definition of Heirs
An heir is a legally identified person entitled to your estate property when no will or trust dictates distribution. In that case, state law dictates how an estate is distributed and which heirs are entitled to assets.Generally, your heirs, in succession order are:
- Your spouse,
- Your children,
- Your parents,
- Your siblings,
- Your grandparents,
- Your next of kin.
If there is no next of kin, your property will revert back to the state.
Beneficiaries Defined
A beneficiary is a person you've specifically named to receive proceeds and assets from:- Life insurance,
- Employer-provided qualified retirement plans,
- Individual retirement accounts,
- Trusts, and
- Annuities, as well as property distributed under your will.
A beneficiary may or may not be an heir and vice versa. Understanding a beneficiary's role in your estate plan and their rights to your assets or property is key in planning. If you don't name beneficiaries with a will or other planning tools, they'll be chosen for you.
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Craig W. Schubert is a Financial Planner with, and offers securities and investment advisory services through LPL Enterprise (LPLE), A Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC, and an affiliate of LPL Financial.
LPLE and LPL Financial are not affiliated with Business & Financial Strategies, LLC.
This newsletter is general educational information provided by a Prudential Financial Professional and is not intended to market or sell any specific products and services, but rather provide general information about the subject matter covered only.
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