Estate Planning: You Need It Even If You Don'T Think You Do
It seems that many people do not understand the need for estate planning. If you think you do not have any assets to worry about what happens after you die, you should probably think again. It is also important you understand that the steps you take and the planning you make official can also be used if you should become mentally incapacitated. Here are the basic steps you should take now, to ensure you and your assets are taken care of the way you want and not the way the state will.
Have a Will
The most important thing you need to do is to have a will. Even if all it states is how you want your body handled once you are gone You need to appoint someone as the executor to make sure that everything is handled properly. You probably have items you want specific people to have. Perhaps your niece loves the afghan your grandmother crocheted for you and you want to be sure she gets it. You may also want to be sure that your grandson is given your car. It is important to understand that any money from insurance policies will be distributed according to the beneficiaries you have listed on the policy.
Titles
While it is possible to have anything with a title included in your will, you may want to make sure that each piece is titled correctly. Using the example above about leaving your car to your grandson, make sure that either you are the only person listed on the title or you have it titled to you and/or your grandson. If your spouse is on the title with you the car will go to them. Titles are even more important when it comes to real estate. If the title is held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship, tenants in common, or tenants in entirety, the people on the title with you, or your legal heir will then own the property.
Advanced Directives
Advanced directives come into play when you are still alive but unable to make decisions for yourself. They should include assigning one person the right to make medical decisions for you. You should also give someone power of attorney over your finances and belongings if you become mentally incapacitated. You can have your wishes put into the directives, so they are carried out by the people you give the power to.
Take the time to talk with an estate planner and have everything prepared legally. This way, there will be no doubt as to what you want and who is in charge for you. Even if the only thing you have to worry about is your afghan, you want to make sure it goes to your niece and not just packed away or given to charity.It seems that many people do not understand the need for estate planning. If you think you do not have any assets to worry about what happens after you die, you should probably think again. It is also important you understand that the steps you take and the planning you make official can also be used if you should become mentally incapacitated. Here are the basic steps you should take now, to ensure you and your assets are taken care of the way you want and not the way the state will.
Have a Will
The most important thing you need to do is to have a will. Even if all it states is how you want your body handled once you are gone You need to appoint someone as the executor to make sure that everything is handled properly. You probably have items you want specific people to have. Perhaps your niece loves the afghan your grandmother crocheted for you and you want to be sure she gets it. You may also want to be sure that your grandson is given your car. It is important to understand that any money from insurance policies will be distributed according to the beneficiaries you have listed on the policy.
Titles
While it is possible to have anything with a title included in your will, you may want to make sure that each piece is titled correctly. Using the example above about leaving your car to your grandson, make sure that either you are the only person listed on the title or you have it titled to you and/or your grandson. If your spouse is on the title with you the car will go to them. Titles are even more important when it comes to real estate. If the title is held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship, tenants in common, or tenants in entirety, the people on the title with you, or your legal heir will then own the property.
Advanced Directives
Advanced directives come into play when you are still alive but unable to make decisions for yourself. They should include assigning one person the right to make medical decisions for you. You should also give someone power of attorney over your finances and belongings if you become mentally incapacitated. You can have your wishes put into the directives, so they are carried out by the people you give the power to.
Take the time to talk with an estate planner and have everything prepared legally. This way, there will be no doubt as to what you want and who is in charge for you. Even if the only thing you have to worry about is your afghan, you want to make sure it goes to your niece and not just packed away or given to charity. Contact a firm, like Lynn Jackson Shultz & Lebrun PC, for more help.