Sometimes, estate planning leads us to consider issues that might happen in the future. Often, thinking about these problems can be difficult. However, no matter how sad it makes you, it’s important to make arrangements. Below, you’ll find several questions to ask yourself when you began estate planning.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing a Will | Estate Lawyers Cary NC
Do you have estranged children from a previous relationship? Even if you don’t speak with your descendants, it’s important to include them in your will in some fashion or another. Even if it means excluding them. This will be a difficult situation for your estranged child as well as your current spouse. Although these things aren’t something you normally think about when planning your estate, it’s a good idea to consider them.
This may also be the case for other descendants like half-siblings, stepchildren, and other family members. Consider all descendants when it comes to planning your estate.
If both you and your spouse or significant other passes, who will raise your kids? Unfortunately, this can happen. If you don't name a guardian for your children, in the event of an untimely death for you and your spouse or significant other, the court may decide who should raise your child. It is ultimately determined by who is deemed to be in the best interest of your child. You may plan to have your siblings and their spouse raise your children in this case but if you do not document it properly within your will the court might choose someone else.
Do you have pets that will need to be taken care of after you pass? We love our pets. In some cases, our dogs or cats are our children. That means you should have a plan for what happens to your animals after you pass. You may have a friend or loved one that would take on caring for your animals. Be sure to plan for this in your will.
Have you made end-of-life treatment plans? This can be very difficult to think about. However, there may come a time that this type of plan will be needed. Be sure to consider various types of circumstances and how the situation may be resolved. Think about quality of life and how you would like for things to be carried out if you are incapacitated. It’s also important to choose a health care power of attorney who will carry out your wishes for you.
If you are interested in learning more, be sure to check back with our future blog post. We will have more questions that you can ask yourself when writing a will. Also, be sure to contact our estate lawyers in Cary NC if you have any inquiries or need to make an appointment. We are here to help.
Eldreth Law Firm | Estate Lawyers in Cary NC
When planning your estate, you may want to consider which assets are subject to probate and which are not so that you can make the best decisions in how you designate heirs. If you need additional help, reach out to our estate lawyers in Cary NC to ensure that you are creating the best plan for your situation.
As always, please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have concerning legal issues. Also, contact our estate lawyer in Cary NC to schedule a consultation if you have yet to start estate planning. If you don’t have an estate plan in place or haven’t reviewed yours in several years, now might be the best time to start. In addition to estate planning, our lawyer is here to help you with all your small business needs, trademarking, copyrighting, or DWI issues.
