Estate Planning

Estate Planning Questions to Ask Yourself:

• Do you want to protect yourself and your assets by giving someone you trust the legal authority to act and speak on your behalf if you become incapacitated?
• Do you want to control how your assets are divided among your loved ones after your death instead of having your assets divided according to State law?
• Do you want to choose permanent legal guardians for your minor children in the event of your death instead of having guardians chosen by a judge who doesn’t know you or your family?
• Do you want to appoint emergency guardians with the legal authority to take custody of your children immediately if something happens to you, instead of leaving it up to the authorities and hoping for the best?
• Do you want to preserve your family wealth for later generations instead of losing a huge chunk to taxes?
• Do you want to support specific charities or causes through a gift after you pass on?
• Do you want to ensure that your heirs can settle your estate quickly, efficiently and inexpensively after your death?
• Do you want to ensure the lifetime comfort and financial security of a loved one with special needs?
• Do you want to put protections in place to make sure your heirs use their inheritances wisely and don’t squander them or lose them to creditors?
• Do you want to minimize family squabbling and infighting over your estate?
• Do you want to ensure that your spouse and your children from a previous relationship are all provided for according to your wishes after your death?
• Do you need guidance regarding “what to do next” after the death of a spouse or loved one?