Creating an estate plan is extremely important, and yet the majority of American adults don’t have one. Our Table Talk topic is titled “The Estate Planning Process Simplified” and we actually are covering this in two parts. The first half covered some of the basic information as well as the initial steps that are common when creating an estate plan.
This month’s blog will cover the second half of the estate-planning process. I’m happy to share this information with you as well.
Typically, after your initial meeting, the attorney will determine if you should have a second meeting to discuss details, or if everything is pretty clear for you. Once you are comfortable, he will send you drafts of the documents for you to review. Once you approve the drafts, the attorney will create official documents and schedule a time for you to sign them.
Once the official documents are signed, you have your own customized plan. It is wise to put those documents in a safe place. It is also a good idea to review the documents, at least once a year, to make sure everything is current. In addition, I encourage you to share information with your loved ones. The amount of information you share is up to you, but at minimum, let them know you created a plan and tell them the location of your documents.
In summary, there is some work involved, but all good things require at least some work. There is also some cost, but the cost is far less than your family will pay if you don’t have a will and other documents. The time commitment is basically two or three meetings with an attorney and some discussion with your loved ones. In the end, this process is not complicated, but it is certainly worthwhile.
If you still have questions or concerns, you can reach out to me. My role is to help you understand the process and work through it efficiently. I don’t charge a fee and I don’t look at your personal finances. I simply help you in the best way to ensure you complete the process successfully.
You can reach out to me at paul.snamiska@kmlhs.org or go to our website at www.foundation.kmlhs.org to learn more. I look forward to hearing from you.