Every 12 months, it happens like clockwork: the calendar loses a page and a new year begins. Now that you find yourself in 2019, it’s time to take a few moments to think about how you can prepare a better future for your family.
There are a few simple and cost-effective steps you can take to ensure that your estate plan protects you, your assets, and most importantly, your family.
The first step applies to more than half of those who are 55 years old or above: sit down with an estate planning attorney and make a will. Unfortunately, less than half of those 55 and older have a will – which means less than half of those people have taken the most basic step to help their family at a time when they will need guidance.
Part of creating a will (or updating an estate plan) is to have the tough conversations with family members and other people you care about. Find out what they want to happen when you are gone and tell them of your plans. Also, talk to them about what you want to happen if you are incapacitated; how you want to be cared for and what you do and don’t want to happen if you are ever in that unfortunate situation.
Next, if you don’t have an estate plan, 2019 is the time to create one. Discuss which planning tools will protect you and yours best: a will, trust, powers of attorney, a healthcare directive and so on.
You can contact an experienced, cost-effective estate Brevard County estate planning attorney and make this new year the one in which you secure the future.