Critical Information Your Attorney Wants You To Include In Your Estate Plan

Some testators create estate plans without their documents effectively reflecting their wishes or bringing about their desired results. This is mainly because they include the wrong information in their documents, which usually makes the plan invalid. Therefore, if you're looking to create a will, you need to consult an attorney so as to comprehensively understand what details you should include when drafting it. This will help ensure that your document is implementable. Below is some critical information your attorney would want you to include in your estate plan for it to serve its purpose:

What You Own and Who Should Inherit It

Your legal advisor will advise you to include a list of the assets you own and documents of ownership in your will. They include homes, cars, investments, and savings. They will also ask you to name the people you want to inherit your various assets. Additionally, they will assist you in creating estate planning documents that will designate the ownership of particular assets at different times according to your wishes. This measure will prevent hitches that might make it challenging for your heirs to access your estate or inherit their rightful property.

The Person Who Will Make Essential Decisions for You

It is also important to name one person who will make essential decisions on your behalf in case you fall sick or become otherwise incapacitated. For example, the designated individual will determine where you will receive treatment, how your money will be spent, and other critical considerations. Because these decisions can have far-reaching consequences, your attorney will want you to choose someone trustworthy. The estate planning lawyer will also ask you to indicate under what circumstances you would like the appointed person to make these decisions and how much power they should have.

Clear Directions Regarding Your Wishes

Testators need to give clear instructions on the measures their relatives and estate representatives should take in case of a debilitating illness or after their passing. Failing to do this can create confusion and delay decision-making. Your lawyer will want you to avoid this by giving clear directions concerning your wishes. For instance, they will want you to explain the immediate decisions your relatives should make about your medical treatment and funeral expenses. Your legal advisor will also counsel you on giving clear directions on asset distribution, beneficiaries, and various other crucial matters. This will help ensure that your affairs are handled as you intended after your passing.

Some information in an estate plan can make it unimplementable if included, which is why you should consider seeking legal help when creating your document. When you do this, your lawyer will guide you in including all the information essential to making your will legally binding and implementable.

Speak to an estate planning lawyer to learn more.


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