WHAT IS AN ESTATE PLAN?
An estate plan is a set of documents that protects your family, yourself, and your property when you become ill, incapacitated, or die. Estate planning allows you to make your wishes known in a series of legal documents. These documents may spell out who should make medical decisions for you in the event you are unable to do so, who will care for your minor children if you die, and what happens to your assets and property after your death.
Typical estate planning documents will include:
- A Will
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Advance Directives (Health Care Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, HIPAA Authorizations)
- Revocable Living Trust, and/or
- Special Needs Trust
No matter where you are in life, it is crucial to maintain a comprehensive, up-to-date estate plan. We recommend you begin planning as soon as you reach adulthood and update your estate plans every two to three years or when you experience a major life change (marriage, divorce, birth of a child, etc.). At Averett Family Law, we work closely with you to discover your values and concerns. We then develop a tailored estate plan to provide for your loved ones, protect your assets, and meet your other needs. Throughout the process, we treat you with the respect and professionalism that you deserve when dealing with such potentially sensitive issues.