Do you have an estate plan … that works for you? For many, the answer is “no”. It is often overlooked or put off due to the daily buzz we call life. Not having one at all is the top estate planning mistake of all time. Even for those who say “yes” they may have a hard time explaining what it really means.
Perhaps you may not remember because it was drafted around the same time ABBA released their hit song Dancing Queen — which means a review is long overdue. Or maybe you made a quick visit to LegalZoom before a vacation. Indeed, technology has made legal forms more readily accessible via the internet. However, an attorney’s value proposition is far more complex than many realize — it is all about the “details”. A knowledgeable estate planning attorney will:
- Advise and determine what type of plan makes sense;
- Custom draft a plan to best fit the client’s wishes and needs;
- Document client competency to deter a future contest;
- Ensure the documents are properly executed and attested; and
- Be available to make changes or additions as necessary.
Whether eighteen or eighty-one, there is estate planning for all adults. This is some of the most important planning, as it can touch upon every aspect of your life; both now, in the future, and after you are gone. If you are about to or have already experienced a major life event (e.g. marriage, birth of a child, disability, inheritance, etc.), you should contact a knowledgeable estate planning attorney. Over time, things change and so will your needs. Do you have an estate plan … that works for you?
Attorney Joseph C. Jones advises clients on estate planning, asset protection, business law, and real estate law matters. Joe can be reached at (906) 914-4181 or joe@jones.law. Jones Law PLC is a Michigan & Wisconsin based provider of legal services.