Estate planning might not be the first thing on your mind when planning for the future, but it’s essential. It goes beyond protecting your assets and ensuring they go to the right beneficiaries. It’s also about passing on financial responsibility, healthcare decisions, and guardianship of minor children.

Throughout this, you’ll work with an estate planning attorney who can help you draft and execute legal documents such as wills and healthcare directives. This ensures that your affairs are managed according to your wishes and alleviates the burden on family members who may otherwise have to make difficult decisions without guidance.

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of estate planning and discuss an attorney’s pivotal role in executing your directives.

Asset Inventory

This is the first step in estate planning, and it involves making a list of everything you own, such as your home, financial accounts, stocks, retirement savings, life insurance, and even personal items like jewellery or collectibles. By taking inventory of your assets, you can better plan how to distribute them among your loved ones or beneficiaries according to your wishes. 

Designating Beneficiaries

When you pass away, these designations determine who will receive your assets, such as retirement plans, life insurance, and bank accounts. For instance, if you listed your sibling as the beneficiary for your life insurance policy but now want your spouse to receive it instead, you need to update the beneficiary designation accordingly.

It’s crucial to have these designations and keep them current with the help of a lawyer because they trump whatever you put in your will. So, even if your will says one thing, whoever is listed as the beneficiary on these accounts will get the assets.

Estate Taxes

Part of estate planning is finding ways to lower estate taxes. A lawyer can guide gifting assets, setting up trusts, and using tax-saving methods like irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITS), charitable trusts, and qualified personal residence trusts (QRPTs).

They can help you maximise these exemptions, deductions, and credits to minimise the estate’s taxable value. This preserves more assets for your beneficiaries and reduces the tax burden on the estate. 

Guardianship of Minor Children

If you have minor children, you must choose guardians for them if something happens to you. These guardians will take care of the kids if you’re unable to, like if you get sick or pass away. You want to pick your guardians carefully, considering their parenting styles, values, financial stability, and relationship with the children.

An estate lawyer can guide you through this process and formalise your decision legally. They’ll also help you understand these designations’ legal requirements and implications. You get peace of mind knowing your children will be cared for by trusted individuals in case you pass.

Healthcare directives

It’s important to plan for medical decisions, especially when you cannot do so yourself. If you can’t communicate your wishes, an estate lawyer can let you choose someone, like a family member or close friend, to make medical decisions for you. 

Your lawyer will explain the different types of health directives available, such as healthcare power of attorney and living will, helping you understand the implications of each. They ensure your medical preferences are properly drafted, legally valid, and will be followed according to your preferences in the event of incapacity.

Financial Powers of Attorney

A financial power of attorney is a document that verifies your chosen person as the only one to be trusted with managing your finances should you become sick, injured, or die. This person called an agent or attorney-in-fact, can handle tasks such as paying bills, managing investments, and making legal decisions on your behalf.

An estate lawyer like Jan Cleveland can explain the different types of powers of attorney and their associated rights and responsibilities. They’ll also ensure that your document includes specific provisions that fit your financial situation and preferences.

Closing Thoughts

Estate planning can indeed be complex, involving careful consideration of numerous factors. However, the expertise of an estate lawyer can significantly make the process easier for you. It’s essential to initiate estate planning early, while you’re mentally and physically capable because you can express your intentions clearly and get them legally documented. 

Ultimately, the aim is to provide for your loved ones in the best possible manner, ensuring their well-being and security long after you’re gone.