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Curry Financial Group Inc logo

Matthew J. Curry, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®

Financial Planner

CA Insurance Lic. #4305463

 

Curry Financial Group, Inc.

23 Green Street, Suite 207

Huntington, NY 11743

 

Phone:  631-927-3322

Cell:       631-332-8774

Fax:        877-840-7821

 

Email: matt.curry@prudential.com

March/April 2025

Heirs or Beneficiaries?

Delegation concept. Wooden human figures with a arrows

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:

  1. Your spouse,

  2. Your children,

  3. Your parents,

  4. Your siblings,

  5. Your grandparents,

  6. 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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Matt Curry 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 Curry Financial Group, Inc.
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.
Curry Financial Group, Inc. and LTM Marketing Specialists LLC are unrelated companies. This publication was prepared for the publication’s provider by LTM Client Marketing, an unrelated third party. Articles are not written or produced by the named representative.

The information and opinions contained in this web site are obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The publishers assume no responsibility for errors and omissions or for any damages resulting from the use of the published information. This web site is published with the understanding that it does not render legal, accounting, financial, or other professional advice. Whole or partial reproduction of this web site is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.