Beneficiary Designations. Have your ever simply "checked the box" on forms that control substantial
assets? Of course you have - we all have. It is common to find that standard Beneficiary Designation forms, such
as for your life insurance, annuities, retirement or similar assets, usually amounts to "checking a box". Rather
than the assets being controlled by your wishes, as expressed in your Will or Trust, the assets may well be controlled by
that little box on the form. This may mean losing control of a substantial part of your estate.

The form with its little boxes rarely enables you to leave instructions or provide
guidance to your loved ones. The form won't protect them from predators. The form does not address your tax avoidance
or other personal goals. Getting your beneficiary designations right, so they work together with the rest of your estate plan,
is important to the plan's success.
Properly done, beneficiary
designations on your IRAs can mean substantial tax savings for your loved-ones.