Estate Planning

What You Don’t Know That You Don’t KnowThrough our practices, we have had the privilege to work with many great people at all stages of the estate planning process. This includes people looking to create an estate plan as well as those left behind after a loved one passes, and who must deal with the effects of whatever planning was or was not done.
A loved one’s passing is difficult. Few of us know how we will handle the death of a parent, spouse or child. Those tender emotions, combined with the difficulties of dealing with an estate for which little or no planning was done, can create a volatile situation for families and loved ones.
Also, we have seen the results of an estate plan based on the advice of well-meaning neighbors and friends. As we will explain in future columns, such advice-although well intended-can lead to disastrous results.
It’s understandable that some are hesitant to meet with an attorney for advice. Few want to pay to receive advice without any idea what they will be told, or what it will cost.
With that in mind, we still believe it is important that people have the opportunity to make informed estate planning decisions before incurring the costs of estate planning. To assist with this, we will be offering free, no obligation presentations. But this column will also allow us to share information we wish people knew when they make estate planning decisions.

Every other week, we will be sponsoring a column addressing issues such as:
• What is probate?
• How does a trust work?
• Do I need a will or a trust?
• How do people inadvertently give up control of their estate?
• Are there risks I haven’t considered?

These columns won’t be legal advice, something that can’t be done without a specific discussion of specific circumstances. But they will offer information that we believe will help you make informed decisions. We hope you will join us every other week, and don’t hesitate to let us know issues you would like to see addressed.