While most people know they should have some sort of estate plan in place, many procrastinate because they don’t want to undertake the process of creating one. Some are concerned about the expense and most worry about choosing an option that will accomplish their wishes as they intended. Sometimes it seems as if no plan is better than falling prey to the wrong plan. There is so much conflicting information regarding estate planning options, it’s difficult to know whom to trust.
Some so-called authorities have scared the public into believing that certain estate planning tools are all bad or all good in order to promote their own cure-all methods. While most people realize that few things fall into such black and white categories, don’t be fooled by self-appointed experts who espouse such extreme beliefs as:
Do Not Fall for These Myths!
- Living Trusts are always bad or always good.
- The sale of Living Trusts is the scam of the decade.
- Living Trusts unnecessarily expose your home, retirement accounts, insurance and other exempt assets to creditors.
- Living Trusts increase rather than decrease taxes and delays.
- Living Trusts are more expensive and time-consuming than probate.
- Courts are declaring Living Trusts invalid.
- A Living Trust, unlike a Will, is open to challenge and creditors’ claims for years.
On the other hand, you must also watch out for salespeople who proclaim that a Living Trust is the indisputable solution to every person’s estate planning needs. While a Living Trust can be an effective tool, it may not be right for everyone. Be especially wary of Trust mills that aggressively promote cheap Trusts that seem too good to be true – they are!
How You Can Protect Yourself
It is crucial to make sure you are working with a legitimate estate planning firm rather than an
impostor Trust mill. The following list can help you tell the difference.
Always Be Alert for the Following
- Non-attorneys giving legal advice. Only a licensed attorney has the experience and expertise to provide the legal advice necessary to achieve your goals. There are important reasons it is unlawful for non-attorneys to provide legal advice.
- Going through the entire Trust process without ever actually meeting with an attorney licensed in your state. Estate planning laws vary from state to state so it is important to know that you are dealing with a qualified attorney who is well-versed in local laws.
- Cheap Trusts. Remember, you get what you pay for! It can take substantial amounts of time and energy to prepare a proper estate plan that meets all of your needs. That kind of care and investment costs more in the short term but can save you and your family immense heartache, aggravation and expense in the long run.
- Your own instincts. Gut feelings exist for a reason – don’t ignore them! Trust your instincts and if you have any doubts, don’t be afraid to check with your state’s bar association for past complaints against your attorney.
There are many reasons to create an estate plan, many of which you may not have ever considered. The list below provides a variety of examples of why it is vital to have a proper estate plan in place. The only way to know for sure what is right for you and your family is to discuss your options with a qualified estate planning attorney. Our office can help you determine what your needs are and which tools will best fit those needs.
15 Most Common Reasons to Do Estate Planning
- Designate who will manage your affairs if you become disabled and when you pass away.
- Plan for Medicaid and its impact on your estate if you must go into a nursing home.
- Avoid guardianship/ conservatorship, during your lifetime and probate when you pass away.
- Protect children from a prior marriage if you pass away first.
- Protect assets inherited by your heirs from lawsuits, divorces and other claims.
- Impose discipline upon children (and/or grandchildren) who may not be capable or experienced in managing money.
- Provide for special needs children and grandchildren.
- Insure that a specific portion of your estate actually gets to grandchildren, charities, etc.
- Protect a portion of your estate if you pass away first and your surviving spouse remarries.
- Address different needs of different children.
- Prevent or discourage challenges to your estate plan.
- Reward/encourage heirs who make smart life decisions, and prevent the depletion of your estate by those who do not make smart choices.
- Assure an education for children/grandchildren, despite what they (or their parents) dream of doing with the inheritance.
- "Brady-Bunch" family estate planning: assure the step-parent doesn't spend your children's inheritance and/or provide for a spouse by sacrificing the intended legacy for children of a prior marriage
- Pursue charitable goals you may not otherwise feel you can afford. Considerably cutting probate expenses allows you to also leave a legacy to a charitable organization you admire
