April 13, 2009

A Last Will & Testament (commonly referred to as simply a Will) is a document that disposes of your property at the time of your death.

A common misconception is that Wills and proper Estate Planning are only necessary for the wealthy. This is not true. Whether your estate is large or small, it is beneficial to have a properly drawn Will. Not having the Will properly drafted and executed can cause delays, great expense and possibly force the Will to be interpreted through the courts.
If an individual dies without a Will there are certain consequences that may occur. Consider the following:

• If you have not named a guardian for you minor children (as you would in a Will) , if both parents die, the courts or a social worker may have the temporary & final decision as to who should act as guardian for your minor children, not you or your family.

• Without a Will naming an Executor, the court will appoint an Administrator for your estate who may not know your intentions.

• After the administrator of your estate has distributed your assets in accordance with state law, your spouse may not have enough funds to live comfortably.

• Without a Will you cannot leave personal items such as a family heirloom, specific jewelry, artwork, etc. to a particular individual such as a nephew, cousin, or family friend.

When creating a Will, it is also important to execute a Living Willand Power of Attorney. These 2 documents are also essential to any basic Estate Plan.

A Living Will (also known as a Health Care Proxy or Advanced Health Care Directive) allows an individual to appoint someone to make all health care decisions on their behalf in the event they are unable to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of the health care decisions. You may also provide specific instructions as to your intentions.

A Power of Attorney allows an individual to designate an agent to conduct all business and financial decisions such as purchasing, improving, maintaining any real or personal property, banking, or any lawful business transactions. It can be Springing (takes effect only upon disability or incapacity) or Durable (effective immediately & remains effective upon disability or incapacity). Not having one of these in place can result in required costly court proceedings.

A minor mistake in drafting and executing your estate plan may invalidate your good intentions & your lifetime of hard work & savings. A little advanced planning can ensure your family’s goals are accomplished.