Estate Planning | 5 Common Mistakes People Make

Summary: People have lots of things they think they know about estate planning. Sometimes they're right, sometimes they're a bit off-base and sometimes they're wrong. By educating yourself, you can learn why experts universally agree that everyone needs an estate plan, as well as how to move pro-actively to ensure you get the best plan possible for you.  

As with any area knowledge, estate planning is something that may seem very mysterious or overwhelming to some. For others, they may think they know about estate planning, but as the old quote from English essayist Alexander Pope says, "a little learning is a dangerous thing." In order to make informed decisions about your estate plan, it helps to know what is truth, what is misconception and what is myth. With that in mind, here is a group of five erroneous thoughts people have about estate planning, and why they can be dangerous.

(1) I don't have enough wealth to justify creating an estate plan. Experts universally agree that, regardless of the size of your estate, you should create an estate plan. Even if you have only modest wealth, chances are that you care about the legacy you'll leave behind and who receives your assets. If you don't create a plan, the state makes one up for you and the distribution plan your state creates probably won't match your wishes. Additionally, a thorough estate plan does a lot more than just distribute your assets. It also can enhance your control regarding who manages the affairs of your estate after you die, who would make decisions for you if you became incapacitated and who takes over as the guardian of your minor or special-needs children. 

(2) I already have a will, so my estate plan is set. Not necessarily. A will is an integral part of any estate plan, but a will by itself is rarely enough. Your will allows you to dictate directions regarding the distribution of your assets, but it does provide you any assistance regarding who acts on your behalf if you were alive but unable to make decisions for yourself. A complete estate plan would, in addition to a will, also include a financial power of attorney that allows you to designate an agent who would step in to manage your finances when you're unable, as well as documents that would allow a person of your chooisng to make decisions for you regarding personal, healthcare and end-of-life choices.

(3) Living trusts are only for the very rich. Not true. While it is true that living trusts can offer certain tax-related benefits to people with large estates, they also provide advantages that people with any size estate can receive. Properly created and maintained, they avoid probate. This has the potential to save your family time and money distributing your wealth after your die. Also, probate administrations matters are public in most states, while the process of wrapping up a living trusts is typically carried out without the creation of any public records. So, if you're concerned about privacy, this can be a substantial benefit.

(4) I created a plan with all of those documents. They're signed, notarized and safely stored. I'm all finished. Also not true. Your estate plan is similar to your car, your home or your health. They need regular care and maintenance. A periodic analysis, or check-up, can ensure that the plan you executed is still in optimal condition. Maybe something in your life has changed. Maybe the law has changed. Or maybe you just changed your mind about something. A periodic review can make sure that your plan meets your goals as they stand today.

(5) Anyone can create an estate plan. This is a mistake, too. You may have found a form book at a library or an office supply store. Or maybe it was a page on the Internet. Those documents were probably drafted by capable professionals, but they may not have been lawyers from your state, and they definitely weren't created based upon a personal consultation with you. The best estate plans are those whose documents are customized based upon the unique estate planning laws of your state of residence and the specific parameters of your desires and objectives. Also, be careful about picking just any lawyer. You probably wouldn't want an expert in patent law to defend you in a murder trial and you also probably wouldn't choose a mergers-and-acquisitions attorney to handle your child custody case. Similarly, an attorney from your home state who deals regularly with estate planning cases can offer you advice, insight and strategies that other lawyers might not have.

This article is published by the Legacy Assurance Plan and is intended for general informational purposes only. Some information may not apply to your situation. It does not, nor is it intended, to constitute legal advice. You should consult with an attorney regarding any specific questions about probate, living probate or other estate planning matters. Legacy Assurance Plan is an estate planning services-company and is not a lawyer or law firm and is not engaged in the practice of law. For more information about this and other estate planning matters visit our website at www.legacyassuranceplan.com. 

This article written and published by:

Legacy Assurance Plan

8039 Cooper Creek Blvd

University Park, Florida 34201

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