Estate Planning Attorney - Why You Need One

An estate planning attorney might sound like something you should look into once you’ve grown old and gray, but in reality it’s best to look into finding one as soon as possible.

Thinking about your own death is something no one wants to do, but realistically it is something that should be anticipated and planned for, especially if you have accumulated valuable assets over the course of your life and even more so if you have a family. Once you pass on, your possessions aren’t necessarily yours anymore, which makes it vitally important to sort out all of your affairs in a manner that is suitable both to you and those closest to you.

An estate planning attorney is someone who specializes solely in organizing the affairs of both individuals and families and laying out a detailed plan for how they will be organized after an individual passes on. While you may think it is as simple as your family members or closest friends just taking over your possessions once you die, you are sorely mistaken - which is exactly why an estate planning attorney is necessary.

There are many complicated processes and loopholes to navigate when it comes to the distribution of assets. First and foremost, the tax process for recently deceased individuals can be complicated and, at times, painful. If you don’t know how best to approach it, it could cost your family or surviving beneficiaries quite a bit of time, energy and money to sort it all out. Attorneys who specialize in estates are keenly aware of how to best structure your affairs so as to avoid significant issues with taxes.

The distribution of assets is the other major issue that an estate planning attorney can focus on. Deciding which family members, friends and even charities receive which assets of yours can be an arduous task that becomes even more difficult if it is not outlined ahead of time. 

Official documents such as wills and trusts can be organized ahead of time so that those involved can gain a full understanding of what they stand to inherit so there is little confusion, angst or bitterness after the fact. Living wills can also signify important designations such as whether a person wants to be buried or cremated or whether he or she wishes to remain on life support in the event of a serious accident.

There are many additional details involved in this process, which is another reason why it is important to work with an estate planning attorney. He or she can advise you about all of the various aspects of assuring that your affairs are in order and help you achieve peace of mind about where you stand.