PROBLEMS ACCOMPANY ADULTS’ LACK OF ESTATE PLANNING

Many Florida residents feel very protective of their own personal information. Although privacy is valuable, secretiveness can wreak havoc on families in the event of an injurious accident or illness. This is particularly true for families who are working to determine whether their relatives have a living will. Setting up these important documents in advance can make a difficult situation easier for your family members.

Did you know that just one in three Americans actually has a will? If you die without proper estate planning, your assets could fall into a contentious court battle, and those holdings could be divided against your wishes. It is important to remember that a will can guide your family members’ actions during their time of grief, when they might not know how to act.

One legal professional said she is struggling to determine her mother’s wishes after a house fire left her in serious condition. The woman’s mother did not create a living will or other type of advance directive, so family members have no idea what her wishes are. Living wills describe the subject’s preferences for receiving life-prolonging procedures that are sometimes invasive. Family members can run into problems with health professionals if a living will is not available.

This woman advises against being secretive and afraid that someone will steal from you before you die. Instead of closely guarding information about your assets, make sure your wishes are contained within appropriate estate planning documents such as a will. Medical and financial choices will be significantly easier for your family if you follow these simple guidelines.

Clients who are interested in learning more about creating their own will may benefit from the advice of an estate planning attorney. These professionals may guide clients, helping them learn more about their legal options. Your assets should be distributed in the way you prefer; guarantee that your wishes will guide asset distribution by drafting a complete estate plan.

Luis E. Barreto