Estate Planning Checklist: 5 Tasks to Do Now, While You’re Still Well

Estate Planning Checklist

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THE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO TO MAKE AM ESTATE PLAN

  • The first step to do is to know what health care services you need on your estate plan so you know what kind of treatment you’re getting when you are in critical condition or unable to make decisions. This file will have you make the choices for you.
  • The second step is to choose an executor. An executor is someone who will be responsible in doing the final tasks you’ll list on your Will.
  • Make sure you list all your finances and know who or where their going to when you pass.
  • Finalize the entire plan with a lawyer and he or she will fill in anything that’s missing or isn’t stated.
  • Finally, you need to make a separate file with what certain things people within the family should know once the plan is read.

Now That You’re Prepared

You’re ready for an easy case on your estate plan and full comfort as it processes. A full proof estate plan can guarantee you safety of not only what you own but your family living situation against extra payments that can have them sell the estate itself. To be prepared its important that a lawyer helps you go through the whole planning process to undergo a good court experience.

FAQ

1. How Often Should I Update My Estate Plan?

Your estate plan should be looked over every 5 years or so but may need adjustments if you’re involved in marriage, bear any children or filed for divorce. This is due to legal laws within the state and now who’s involved.

2. Should you avoid probate?

There’s an understanding when wanting to avoid a probate and it’s due to waiting a year for courts approval or even having the courts approval rather than your own. Both these things can pile more fees on top of the file the more complicated things get through many disagreements. It is necessary to use the probate because if you’re looking through the file rather than an attorney, you will be prone to mistakes and more fees that the attorney could of spotted. Upcoming mistakes can also cause the filing to be longer than it should. So you shouldn’t avoid any probates.

 3. What is a Testamentary trust? 

A testamentary trust is a a trust that is formed after a persons passing and is instructed or assigned according to the last Will. It is also considered a third-party if it is someone assigned as a trustee rather a family member. Then that person would have the right to move the assets around.

4. Why do I need an attorney to write a Will?

An attorney is necessary to prevent future mistakes that the attorney him or herself is more aware of. Needs in your Will may be to vague to approve in court and that’s only one of many examples of when that can occur. The issue here is that any mistakes found in the Will has to go through a delayed probate process. Note, a probate can take up to a year and additional fees added upon these delays. So it’s crucial that you get an estate attorney to prevent further conflict.

5. Can I Create an Plan on My Own?

You are free to create your own plan but doing so would have you leave any important details and is a good chance that will happen because of certain law terms you need to bring up. So creating your own plan may be an invalid one.

6.  When should I make an advance directive?

The best time to make an advance directive is before you need one. In other words, before you become too sick to make your own decisions about what medical care you want to get or refuse.

7. Should my spouse and I file a joint tax return?

When filing a joint tax return you have an easier time with filing taxes and you have a deduction of fees included. With separate accounts you and your spouse would have to do your own paperwork. With a joint tax return things would be much easier and you can save money.

8. How long does probate take in New York?

If you have an uncomplicated Will with every statement clear and destination of all assets addressed then the process can take between 3 to 6 months. Though so,e cases can be complicated when it comes to disagreements in the Will or any updates that needs to be changed. This process can take up to years depending on how long the modification and needs take.

9. What happens when someone dies without a will in New York?

Without a Will, your family would have to discuss with who gets what assets and with other beneficiaries involved can make this case more expensive. A will is very important to make things organized and give less strain to everyone within the family.

10. Can I work part time and collect unemployment in New York?

Yes you can! You would have to work 30 hours or fewer and make at least less than $504.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The content of this blog may not reflect the most current legal developments. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this blog or contacting Morgan Legal Group.

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