One of the most annoying "to-do list" items has to be setting aside time to prepare for what happens to your wealth after you die. That's what an estate plan is, after all – the instruction manual for your hard-earned life's wealth. Neglecting it, or potentially worse, misdirecting it can be costly to you or those who are set to receive your assets. And that's only on one part of the equation (assets passing to your heirs). Remember that you may be receiving assets that may or may not have been planned for properly.

In today's episode, we highlight an example of what can happen when assets pass between generations incorrectly and get into the important differences between beneficiary designations you may not be aware of.