You don’t need to get so old or to have acquired all known assets or possession to start making estate plans. The more you wait, the more likely you might need to make a rush hour plan likely open to forfeiture, non-implementation, and extremely long probate processes.
Why you need an estate plan.
Protect your loved one or assets beneficiaries.
Estate plan would protect your family and loved ones from loss of any kind. You can appoint a guardian for minor children. Through a well-established estate plan, your assets beneficiary would not need to go through the stress of probate before getting the assets that are rightfully theirs.
Reduce estate taxes with the right estate document.
Proper estate plans would reduce excessive estate taxes. When an asset is transferred to a beneficiary, federal and state taxes and other types of inheritance taxes is reduced. Also, married couples can create a trust account or have their assets in a joint trust to reduce taxes.
Avoid the Probate process.
A proper estate plan would not need to go through probate before implementation. An estate planning lawyer would typically guide you to creating other estate document. These documents such as living trust would eliminate the long probate process when transferring assets to desired beneficiaries.
Our estate planning lawyers are close and around you.
It is worthy of note that such estate plans are susceptible to wrong inclusion and attachment and may lead to loss of assets and other benefit obtainable from a good estate plan. However, with just a contact, you have experience estate planning lawyers giving insights and making proper estate plans with you. Your relationship with our close by estate planning lawyer would ensure that all your long, short and mid-term estate plan are properly implemented. Our estate planning lawyer would discuss with you available and suitable estate plan options and guide you to making the right choices.
Questions to ask your estate planning lawyer on your first meeting
There are questions to ask your attorney on your first meeting in order to know to what extent their services would be and to as well build a lasting relationship. The questions include:
- How long will the estate planning process take?
- Would you need a living trust or powers of attorney? What are the pros and cons of each?
- Would the lawyer execute the trust, etc. or would they only prepare the estate plan?
- Will the lawyer have you review every document drafted before establishing them? Keeping in touch would help you avoid misunderstandings and maintain clarity and consistency.
- When would they be available in case you have any pressing question or issue to discuss?
- Do they include disability and tax planning in their estate planning strategy?
- Would they help in reviewing and updating your estate plan periodically?
- Do they charge hourly, weekly, at the end of the project, or otherwise?
- How long have they been practicing? Do not regard this question as crude or immaterial. It gives you an idea of their experience.
Essential estate planning tips.
Estate plans can be made to reflect and implement your mid, short and long term plans. However, you can speak with an estate planning lawyer to know suitable documents that would reflect these plans.
Since estate plans are made in preparation for any uncertain life occurrences, you need the right lawyers to ensure your desired and plans are duly implemented.
Our Miami estate planning lawyers would guide you through any probate process. Also, the estate lawyer can step in a play the role of the executioner of your estate plan.
The living trust is an essential estate document. While other estate document such as last will may go through probate before it can be implemented, the living trust allows transfer of assets without any probate process.
Contact a Miami Estate Planning Lawyer near you today.
Planning an estate on your own might be a bad idea. Because estate planning is a complex issue, you need the guidance of an estate planning lawyer so that you don’t end up making a mistake that might render your estate plan or will invalid. If you reside in the city of Miami, an estate lawyer in Miami can assist you with the planning of your estate. Ensure you go for an estate lawyer who is conversant with the estate planning laws of Miami.