We live in an era when anything and everything can be done online. From buying a car to hiring an insurance company, it is simpler to skip conventional appointments by taking things into our own hands. You might think that this approach is convenient and helpful in various situations, but it is never a smart decision when it comes to preparing trusts, wills, healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and any other document that spells out your end-of-life wishes.
If you’re someone who is confused about whether to go about the DIY process or hire an estate planning attorney, you should definitely stick to the latter option. Estate planning is complex and you may need the expertise of a skilled professional. Let’s check out the reasons for hiring one.
- Be vocal about your wishes
By designing a will, you can make sure all your wishes are fulfilled even after your death. If you’re someone who still doesn’t have a plan in place, there is no guarantee of whether or not your wishes will be fulfilled. However, by hiring an estate planning attorney, you can create a legally binding document that will make sure your wishes are followed.
- Stay away from probate
Probate is the legal process of disbursing assets among your inheritors after your death. This can certainly be a costly and long process but if you hire a reliable estate planning attorney, he will help you avoid the entire process. He will create living trusts and set up joint ownership of assets. The best lawyers can set up trusts and other legal mechanisms to stay away from probate.
- Plans for incapacity
What will happen if you become incapacitated someday? What if someone else has to make medical and financial decisions on your behalf? It is an estate planning lawyer who can let you appoint someone and keep a proper plan in place that spells out how your affairs will be handled. It is very important to plan for incapacity as you never know what life has in store for you.
Therefore, if you’re someone who still doesn’t have an estate plan in place, it is high time you act. A professional estate planning lawyer can assist you in creating a comprehensive plan that takes into account all your assets. Through a will, you can fulfill your wishes, minimize taxes, avoid probate, and gain peace of mind.