What is Estate Planning and Why is it Important?

An Estate Plan is a compilation of legal documents that will turn critical in the case you become incapacitated or pass away. Creating an Estate Plan is usually low on a to-do list, because no one likes to think of their last days or any potential incapacitations. While it may be difficult to stop and reflect on unfortunate and unpredictable illnesses or accidents, preparing now will save your loved ones from a stressful situation if you do not have a plan in place.

According to USA Today, research has shown that fewer Americans are writing wills which will complicate the distribution of assets for survivors. According to a Will and Estate Planning Study by Caring.com (a caregiver website), between 2020 and 2023, Americans over the age of 55 has decreased from 48% to 46%.

An Estate Plan is extremely important to put into place. It is not just for wealthy individuals; families with modest assets should consider an estate plan built to protect and pass on what they have. Your estate is made of anything that you own, which can include your home, cars, personal possessions, checking and savings account, investments, and life insurance. By creating an estate plan, you will be able to:

• Decide to whom your possessions will go and when they will receive it
• Provide instructions for your care and designate someone to act on your behalf if you are not able to make decisions
• Ensure your kids are properly protected if you are not there
• Provide for family members with special needs
• Set an inheritance plan for heirs that may be irresponsible with money or may need protection from creditors or divorce.
• Provide for the transfer of your business
• Minimize taxes, court costs, and unnecessary legal fees

Should you become incapacitated or pass away without a plan in place, the state will decide how any property without named beneficiaries is distributed through a process called probate.  Probate also acts as the process of proving a will is legal and administering the estate of a deceased person.  For less complicated estates, probate may only take a few weeks; unfortunately, probate may last years for larger or more complex estates.  This process can be prolonged by anyone who may have a valid claim to any of the assets in the estate.

Having an estate plan in place will help relieve stress from your loved ones in a trying time, by simplifying the legal processes surrounding your legacy.  An estate plan may contain a Will, a Trust, Health Care Power of Attorney, Power of Attorney for Property, and a Living Will. Having a will in place helps to guide probate, taking some of the stress of the situation off of your loved ones.  Another way of organizing an estate is by creating a trust in which assets are placed.  Assets that have been placed in a trust are governed by the trust’s rules instead of being governed by probate.

Advanced planning involves careful preparation, and an experienced Estate Planning attorney will help ensure that your loved ones get the most from your legacy.  If you are interested in learning more about establishing an estate plan, please contact our offices today at (630) 357-2333 in Naperville, IL or (219) 797-7820 in Chesterton, IN. If you already have an Estate Plan, it is recommended to review and update your plan every 3 to 5 years to reflect any changes in assets, tax laws, or major life events.

The content in this article is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.