Estate planning can seem challenging but the legal process provides a variety of different estate planning tools to help estate planners achieve their goals for their estate plan. Estate planning is not a cookie cutter process which is why the different legal tools available can help estate planners plan for their needs and wishes.
It is important for estate planners to be familiar with the different types of estate planning documents and the purpose each can serve as part of an overall effective estate plan. A will is the estate planning document most estate planners are already the most familiar with. A will directs the disposition of the estate planner’s property and assets to their beneficiaries. Wills must meet certain requirements to be considered valid which can vary by state so understanding what makes a will valid where the estate planner lives is important.
Additionally, this blog has recently discussed the uses and value of having a trust to compliment a will or a stand-alone trust which can provide a variety of different benefits. It has also discussed the ways estate planning documents can help plan for incapacity and how an advance directive can help plan for the estate planner’s medical incapacity and a power of attorney can help plan for the estate planner’s inability to direct their financial affairs.
Making sure the estate plan has the different estate planning documents the estate planner needs can help ensure their estate plan accomplishes their wishes are that there are no costly errors or oversights in the estate plan. Avoiding costly errors and mistakes when estate planning can allow the estate planner to rest easy that they have the estate plan they need.