Don’t Delay Thinking About Your Estate Plan
Many people think of estate planning as one of the final acts that they should do in life. However, few people wish to acknowledge that life has an end. Thus, many people put off estate planning until it’s difficult to accomplish all of their wishes or worse, too late.
Some people may never get around to planning for their family’s future, resulting in their estate being distributed in a way that they would not have hoped for. So, the answer to the question, “When should I start thinking about estate planning?” is now.
Life’s Milestones Provide A Guideline
A comprehensive estate plan may not be right for an 18- or 19-year-old who is living with his or her parents. However, it becomes more and more important at certain milestones in life, including:
- Getting married
- Buying a house
- Having children
- Acquiring significant assets
- Deteriorating health
- Aging
- Death of parties named as beneficiaries or as executors/trustees
It is important to remember that unforeseen events can happen at any point in life. A proper estate plan is not just about creating a will that will enable you to dictate the distribution of your assets upon your death. A comprehensive plan should also include documents like powers of attorney, which can help ensure that your wishes will be carried out if you are ever in a position where you are incapable of making a decision. Estate planning is essential for those who are concerned about their family’s future.
We Can Help Wherever You Are In Your Estate Planning Process
Estate plans should be treated as living documents. It’s not something that you do once you have a spouse, home and children. As your life changes, it can be necessary to change your estate plan as well. Divorce, remarriage, adoptions and deaths in the family can all have an impact on your estate plan. A review every 10 years (or if major life changes occur, sooner than that) is usually recommended. I can help update your plan and ensure that everything is in order as you see fit.
When you meet with me, I will listen to your goals and help explore your options for meeting them. To schedule an initial consultation at my Pittsburgh office, call me at 412-366-0510 or contact me online. I am licensed in both Florida and Pennsylvania and can help handle issues for people with property in both states.
