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Home >> Estate Planning Articles >> Why Everyone Needs an Estate Plan

Why Everyone Needs an Estate Plan

August 31, 2012 by Robert Kulas.

Compliments of Our Law Firm,
By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

Estate Planning. To many people, it sounds complicated and foreign, something only the wealthy or the elderly need to worry about. It is often not at the top of the priority list for single people or for young couples. Even parents with young children, who know they should at least have a Will, tend to think of estate planning as somehow beyond their reach.

In truth, regardless of your age, your situation in life, or your level of wealth, estate planning accomplishes certain universal goals.

Planning for Illness

What would happen to you or your family if you became very ill – or even if you suffered a debilitating injury – and you couldn’t make your own financial or medical decisions? If you are married, you might assume that your spouse would automatically have the right to step into your shoes and make these decisions for you. However, this is not necessarily the case. If you have accounts on which your spouse is not a joint or authorized user, he or she would likely hit a brick wall when trying to communicate with your financial institutions. The same problems can arise when it comes to talking to doctors or accessing your medical records. If you are not married, your friends or family members would face similar difficulties.

Without the right plan in place, financial and medical institutions require a court order before they will communicate with anyone attempting to make decisions on your behalf. This puts your loved ones in the position of hiring a lawyer and spending time and money in court during an already stressful time in their lives and yours, simply so that they can handle your daily affairs. Add in relatives who disagree over how your affairs should be managed and the trouble compounds.

Whether you are married or single, regardless of your age, you should have a General Durable Power of Attorney, a Health Care Power of Attorney, and a HIPAA authorization.

A General Durable Power of Attorney allows you to name someone to manage your financial affairs in case of your disability. A Health Care Power of Attorney lets you name someone to make medical decisions on your behalf, and a HIPAA authorization lets you direct your physicians and medical facilities to release medical information to certain, specified individuals. These documents work together to keep the details of life running as smoothly as possible for you and your family, without the need for a court order.

Planning for Death

Nobody likes to think about death, but it can happen at any time. If you have not created a plan, the family you leave behind will have to pick up the pieces. The most basic way to plan for death is to create a Will. You use your Will to leave instructions for who gets which of your assets and when, as well as to name a guardian for your minor children.

A Revocable Trust goes a step further, allowing you to distribute your assets while avoiding the time and expense of the probate process. An additional advantage of a Revocable Trust is that, since it is not subject to probate, the terms of your Trust remain private. This is not true of a Will, which is filed in court during probate and becomes a matter of public record.

Estate planning does not have to be complicated, and it is certainly not only for the wealthy or the elderly. Planning your estate is a matter of putting together a few elements that will protect you and your family in case the unexpected happens.

An experienced estate planning attorney can help you put a plan in place that is tailored to your family’s needs.

Kulas & Crawford

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I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

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Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

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~Mildred W
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I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

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~Leo C
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August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

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~Krissy L
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family.

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~Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

"Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family."

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Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

default image
Krissy L.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

default image
Leo C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

default image
Mildred W.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

default image
Joan C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.

default image
L.G.K.
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