While everyone should strive to have a positive outlook on life, it is still important to protect your assets and make sure that your wishes are known to your loved ones. Life is full of unexpected twists, which is why a well-drafted estate plan can protect you and your family during turbulent times.
Many young adults assume that they do not need an estate plan at such a young age. This is evident from estate planning statistics among young adults. According to SeniorLiving.org, one in four people aged 18 to 29 believes they do not need an estate plan or are unsure if they need one.
According to an annual survey conducted by the website Caring.com, the pandemic brought home the message that people need to plan for any contingency in their lives. Nothing is guaranteed, so everyone needs to put in place a plan for the future of their loved ones and for themselves. This is what is known as estate planning.
Estate planning involves not only making arrangements to care for your loved ones, but also expressing your wishes in case of your own incapacitation or death. You can create an advance health care directive to express your desires when facing end-of-life issues.
According to a 2018 study by EstateExec.com, on average, settling an estate takes the executor about 16 months or approximately 570 hours of effort. Being appointed as the executor of an estate is a great honor that comes with huge responsibilities.
According to a new Caring.com survey, only 32.9% of U.S. adults currently have estate planning documents such as a trust or will. Settling the final affairs of a deceased person and distributing their assets to inheritors without a will, trust, or estate plan can bring about several challenges.
When it comes to the process of probate, many people are unfamiliar with what it is and how it works. Whether you are planning your estate or have recently lost a loved one and dealing with the probate process, having an experienced attorney guiding you through the process and educating you on important probate terms can help.
Estate planning is not just about setting up wills and trusts to care for your loved ones when you’re gone. It’s also about preparing for the unexpected surprises in your own life, especially when it comes to your own health.
If you have an estate plan, you’re doing better than about 50% of Americans, who don’t have a plan in place at all. Good job! Now, have you considered the need to update or amend your plan? You can’t just cross things out and initial your changes. For one thing, you...
We have been talking about the importance of timely estate planning in many of these posts. Obviously it is optimal to plan when we are clear-headed. We also know that grief can cloud thinking. This is why an estate plan, complete with health care directive, can...
