Our team at Bennett Guthrie PLLC understands that few people look forward to the estate planning process, as it involves thinking about your eventual passing. In addition, the process is fairly involved and requires a lot of intense decision-making, which only makes people more inclined to put it off. In order to demystify this process and make it feel less intimidating, we have put together this list of three things that our estate planning team wants you to know.
- There’s No Right Way to Feel About Estate Planning- One thing that your estate planning lawyer wants you to know is that it’s normal to have mixed emotions about this process. There is no right way to feel about planning for your eventual death–some people approach the whole thing out of obligation, some out of worry, some out of concern for their loved ones, etc. Some people are even fueled by spite, wanting to cut certain relatives out of their will. Whatever motivates you to start this process, we are here to help you.
- Estate Planning Lets You Care for Your Loved Ones- Another thing that every estate planning lawyer wants to emphasize to their clients and potential clients is that estate planning is a way to make sure your loved ones are taken care of. Not only does making an estate plan allow you to provide for them financially, but it also allows you to take care of many painful decisions so that they don’t have to–for example, many people make living wills to spare their loved ones from having to make any tough calls regarding their medical care.
- You Still Have to Talk to Your Family- A third thing that estate planning lawyers want to make clear is that the legal documents of estate planning are not a substitute for actually talking to your loved ones. They deserve to know what your plans are, rather than getting blindsided with them by reading your will. In addition, the fewer surprises that your loved ones find in your estate plan, the less likely they are to dispute it.