People often tend to procrastinate before they take action and execute the appropriate estate planning documents. Their reasons vary, but it is human nature to prioritize things based on how immediately relevant they may seem.
The current average life expectancy in the United States is over 78 years. So when you are in your 30s, 40s, and 50s you may simply think that you have plenty of time to plan your estate at some point in the future. You may even think that it is better to wait because of pending or unknown factors concerning your estate. The reality is that if you pass away without an estate plan you are potentially leaving your family members a very difficult situation to deal with.
When some finally take the plunge and work with an estate planning attorney to create a plan they put their documents in a lock box mistakenly believing that they are done. It is likely however that your estate plan will need updates as your life changes. For instance your family may experience additions or subtractions through marriages, births, deaths or divorces. The development of a disability by a beneficiary would also require special planning techniques.
Estate planning is best viewed as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. For this reason it is a good idea to develop a working relationship with a qualified estate planning attorney which will last throughout your life.
