“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.”
If you don't have an estate plan, your family will be left to figure things out at a time when they're grieving. They might not know what you want, and they'll have to deal with legal procedures, court appointments, and tough decisions. Creating an estate plan is a gift to your family.
Encouraging your 18-year-old child to create an estate plan can provide both you and them with peace of mind and ensure that their wishes are respected in case of unforeseen circumstances. While parents may no longer hold decision-making authority, supporting your child in creating an estate plan can empower them to make decisions about their future.
Estate planning for blended families can be complex because there are often multiple relationships and competing interests to consider.
Unmarried and same-sex couples should use Wills and, if appropriate, Revocable Trusts to document their estate plan and avoid intestacy, and should consider naming each spouse as Executor and Trustee of the other's Will and Revocable Trust.
Estate planning for seniors involves carefully organizing and managing assets and personal affairs so that their distribution aligns with their goals and needs. This process encompasses creating wills, establishing trusts, assigning powers of attorney, and planning for long-term care.
You love your children more than anything. You’d stop at nothing to protect them.
But what happens if you’re gone? Who’s going to make sure that they’re safe? That they feel loved? That they’re raised the way you want?
If you haven’t named a guardian, then a judge who doesn’t know the first thing about you or your family is going to choose for you. You don’t want that.