If you have gotten to the point where you have decided to create an estate plan, you are making a great decision that will benefit you, your family, and your loved ones. Almost every adult will have an estate of some kind, even if they are not wealthy. If you pay a mortgage, have a car, have any money in your bank accounts, and even have furniture, then you have an estate. When this is the case, moving forward with an estate plan is a wise idea. The next question you may be asking, however, is this: do I really need an estate planning lawyer to help me?
Working with a Lawyer
Most people give themselves a pat on the back when they have chosen to create an estate plan. This is a great step and can protect their assets in the future. With a few internet searches, anyone can find step-by-step instructions on how to create an estate plan or what forms you need to download when creating your estate plan, so why would you want to spend the time and money to work with a lawyer? A lawyer, like an estate planning lawyer knows that there are many reasons it would be beneficial to you to work with someone who understands the laws regarding estate planning.
- They understand protection. One of the top reasons a person creates an estate plan in the first place is for protection. Whether it is the protection of your assets or to protect your family, a lawyer is going to know the ins and outs of how to create a document that looks after all of your assets and gets them to the right places.
- You can avoid mistakes. Even if you are using an app or a website to help you with your estate plan, you may not be following every law specific to your estate or you may not be considering everything that will impact your estate plan. Your lawyer can help you name the right beneficiaries for tax purposes, help you make updates when you have big life changes, and can help you follow state laws so that your estate plan is not successfully questioned.
- You will have an objective opinion. For many, estate planning can be a very emotional time. Your lawyer will bring valued objectivity that can help you and your loved ones get the most out of your estate.
If you are interested in working with an estate planning lawyer, reach out to a local law firm for more information.
