The first time that most people will start to think about any sort of estate planning is when they get married, start a family, or settle down.
By making plans early, you can answer questions that are much harder to address during a crisis. For example, who will take care of any children in the event of your passing, how will assets be divided up between any family, and who is empowered to make your medical decisions? If the answer is unclear, or if those answers are not in writing, it is time to start thinking about estate planning.
Ask These Questions
Who is empowered to make medical decisions for you if you cannot? Your spouse? Consider establishing a Healthcare Power of Attorney.
Who will have guardianship over any children in the event of you and your spouse or coparent being incapacitated? In this scenario, a Standby Guardianship form would be useful.
Are you planning on leaving assets to any children? If so, a trust might be worth contemplating to ensure those gifts are protected.
Do you have a will that states where assets will go in the event of your death? Has it been updated to include any asset growth or change in beneficiary circumstances?
Estate Planning can seem daunting but it doesn’t have to be. The end goal is to give you and your loved ones some peace of mind so that you can spend less time worrying, and more time living.
“My wife and I were uncertain of what to do when her deteriorating situation resulted in her being admitted to a nursing home. We knew very little of the issues that could develop and especially the financing required, which was unplanned for by me. Fortunately for us, your office was recommended. Even more fortunately, Tammy Weber was selected as our elder law attorney. Over a series of meetings, she thoroughly explained the entire process. Her presentation of the details in legal requirements, the finances charted out, our questions answered without hesitation and her confident friendly manner, gave me assurance that she absolutely knew her profession. Our trust in attorney Tammy Weber was completely validated. She did outstanding work, and we are completely satisfied with her performance."
John
Unsure About What You Need in an Estate Plan?
Everyone can benefit from estate planning documents, but every situation is different. Figuring out what documents make sense for you can be challenging and confusing. We’ve created this estate planning tool to help you decide.
