If you want to be a hit at parties, be sure never to bring up questions about estate planning. Few people ever enjoy thinking about, much less talking about, the difficult questions that arise when we begin making our estate plans. Most people rarely discussed these questions with their closest friends and relatives, much less an attorney whom you’ve only just met. However, just because these questions may be uncomfortable that doesn’t mean they’re not important. Here are a couple of the potentially uncomfortable questions you will want to think about before you meet with your estate planning lawyer.
What happens if you become sick, injured, or mentally unfit?
Aging inevitably leads to a decline in health, both physical and cognitive. A good estate plan prepares for these possibilities and makes sure your wishes are protected if you ever lose the ability to either make decisions or express yourself. However, making decisions about the types of medical care you want to receive, and who will be able to make decisions if you cannot, is something only you can do.
What past relationships have you not revealed?
Keeping some things private is natural, and even spouses who have been married for decades can keep secrets from one another. However, some secrets are more significant than others and you’ll need to reveal them to your estate planning lawyer. For example, if you have estranged family members or even children from prior relationships that you have had no contact with, you let your lawyer know about them.
We will talk about some of these issues, as well as many more, at our free estate planning seminars on how to transfer your estate quickly, without probate fees, and with minimum estate taxes. Our next seminars are October 23, and 24th, in either in Vero Beach or Port St. Lucie, Florida. Contact our office for more information.
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