What Happens Without an Estate Plan?

The fallout of becoming incapacitated or dying without an estate plan is serious, expensive, and painful. Working with an estate planning attorney to create a proper estate plan can avoid potential family disputes that could last for generations.

Without an estate plan:

• You will leave your spouse and the rest of your family in the dark – they won’t know what you would want to happen if you became incapacitated or died. This often leads to family fights as each individual champions for what he or she thinks you would have wanted.
• You’ll leave a huge burden on your loved ones to make tough decisions about medical heroics and the withdrawal of life support.
• The court or state law, not you, will decide who makes health care decisions if you are unable to make those decisions yourself.
• A judge, not you, will decide who raises your children.
• The court can lock down your assets so even your spouse has to get court permission before making a financial move.
• Any assets you leave to loved ones can be taken by their divorcing spouses, bankruptcy creditors, medical crisis creditors, predators, and frivolous lawsuits.

What Should You Do?

Call me to schedule a meeting to discuss your estate plan. I’ll walk you through how to protect your loved ones upon your incapacity or death. Among other things, we’ll discuss whether a Trust should be a part of your estate plan and who should make financial and health care decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so yourself.

Call me at 423.667.2906 to schedule an appointment. I look forward to working with you.