Wealth protection is all about reducing the risks associated with wealth accumulation and the protection of what you have already acquired. You may be thinking 'who needs life insurance?' Simply, if you have a family who is financially dependent on you and/or have debts that are serviced from your income alone, you should consider the peace of mind life insurance may bring. Obviously, the greater your financial obligations and the more dependants you have, the more insurance you may need to protect your assets and your family's financial security. Life is full of uncertainty and often the unexpected can occur. The death, injury or illness of a loved one can place an enormous strain on a family both emotionally and financially. Have you considered how your family would cope financially, if something were to happen? Having a financial safety net in the event of sickness, disability or death can help ensure you and your family are protected during a difficult time.

Total and permanent disablement (TPD)

TPD cover provides a lump sum if you become unable to work due to a permanent disability. This cover can help you pay for medical expenses, repay major debts and help provide for your future.

Trauma cover

Trauma cover provides a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a medical condition or undergo a procedure outlined in your policy. This may include a heart attack, major organ transplant, cancer or stroke -- to name a few. Trauma cover is designed to help cover your medical costs and living expenses, providing you with some financial security during the important recovery period.

Death cover

Death cover may be important for people of all ages, especially if you have others relying on you and large debts such as a mortgage. Death cover provides a lump sum to your beneficiaries if you die. This can be used to help meet the costs of your mortgage, other debts and/or cover your family's future expenses. Many policies make an advance payment of the insured sum if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness. With Death, Total Permanent Disablement and Trauma cover you can:

• Find comfort in knowing your family will receive a lump sum payment to help them financially if you were to die or become terminally ill.
• Receive financial support if you become seriously disabled, maintain your quality of life and help meet the cost of rehabilitation programs and daily living expenses with TPD insurance.
• Take the financial pressure off and give yourself time to recover, should you experience one of the traumatic events listed in our trauma cover, including cancer, stroke, heart attack and coronary artery surgery. Children's trauma cover can also be selected.

Income Protection Insurance

You insure your car, the family home and even your health - so why not your ability to earn an income. Have you ever thought about what would happen if you became ill or were injured and couldn't work for an extended period of time? Would you be able to meet your financial commitments without your regular income? If not, it's time you considered income protection. When you think about what life would be like without your regular income, your earning capacity becomes possibly your greatest asset. Chances are, you've based the achievement of your goals and ambitions on having a regular cash flow. If you became ill and were unable to work and maintain that cash flow, your goals may no longer be achievable.

Business Overheads Insurance

What would happen to your business if you were too ill or injured to work? Business Overheads Insurance helps you meet your ongoing business expenses by reimbursing eligible business overheads as a monthly amount if you are too ill or injured to work.

Protect your business expenses

Recover with peace of mind knowing that, if you are unable to work due to injury or illness, your business overheads insurance will reimburse your business expenses such as:

• Rent
• Property Rates
• Vehicle leases
• Salaries

Accumulo Financial Solutions provides wealth protection advice in Spring Hill. Contact us on Phone: 07 3162 0092.

PROVIDING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

We’d all like to leave a legacy and provide for those closest and dearest to us once we’re gone. Estate planning is an effective method to take an overview of your assets, consider how they’re structured and how you’d like them to be distributed after you die. It’s just as important to provide for yourself as it is for the future.

REVIEWING YOUR WILL

A will sets out how you want your estate to be managed and distributed after your death. It can also include the appointment of a guardian for your children. Without a will, management of your estate can be costly, time consuming and distributed according to state based legislation. It’s important to have a valid will and to review it regularly to make sure it is still in line with your intentions. While they may be effective for simple straight-forward estates, they don’t serve more complex estates as effectively. And a will with even a small flaw may lead to an expensive process if it is contested or it doesn’t have a residue clause which directs how to distribute assets not included in the original will.

GRANTING ENDURING POWER OF ATTORNEY

If you were to become incapable of handling your affairs, control of your assets could revert to a person appointed by a court. It would be more useful if you had an enduring power of attorney set up now so that if you cannot manage your affairs, someone you trust and have chosen to act for you, can make the important decisions affecting you and your affairs.

SELECTING AN EXECUTOR

An executor distributes your assets after your death. This involves applying to the Supreme Court for probate, which gives them permission to execute your will. It can be a difficult job if your will involves setting up trusts and lodging tax returns and you should ensure they are willing and that you have nominated an alternate as a back-up in case they pass away before you do or change their mind. You should consider appointing your solicitor or using a trustee company.

GIVING GUARDIANSHIP

A guardian can make decisions regarding where you live and your medical care if you lose the capacity to make your own decisions. It’s important to select someone you trust as soon as any signs appear that you may need these decisions made for you.

CONSIDERING A FAMILY TRUST

A family trust, also known as a discretionary trust, is a common structure used by small businesses to share the business’ income in the most tax-effective way among beneficiaries within the family group and to protect family assets. It is most useful where the business is generating income and experiencing growth. It involves setting up a trust with a nominated trustee, who has responsibility for distributing the estate to your nominated beneficiaries. It can also be used to protect assets from dependants’ creditors or if a dependant isn’t capable of managing money.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY SUPER AND INSURANCE WHEN I DIE?

The death benefit is usually paid to your nominated beneficiaries. The superannuation balance is transferred into the Cash option on notification of your death. The balance will be paid depending on who you have nominated as beneficiaries.

WHO CAN BE MY BENEFICIARY?

If you are insuring through your superannuation, you need to understand the difference between binding and non-binding beneficiaries and issues to be aware of. If you have insurance outside of superannuation, you can nominate anyone to be a beneficiary.

PROTECTING WHAT YOU HAVE

The best way to look after your family’s future is to ensure you have enough cover. To find out more Estate Planning phone Accumulo Financial Solutions on Phone 02 4342 1888, Financial Advisers in Spring Hill.