If you have never given thought to what will happen to your assets and your loved ones after your death, there is no time like the present. While this is a difficult subject for most of us to ponder, planning ahead can save your dependents considerable time and anxiety during this emotional time. An estate planning attorney Washington DC can help you today to put together your will as well as other necessary documentations.
A single individual with no assets or dependents may not feel the need to put together a will. However, if you have a spouse or children, it is important to ensure that the future of your loved ones is decided upon by yourself rather than strangers. Not leaving a will upon your demise can mean a long legal process and exorbitant estate taxes for your dependents.
A will primarily indicates how your assets will be distributed among your heirs after your death. However, it also determines any other procedures you decide upon, such as the aftercare of your remains or the funding for your funeral expenses. If your children are under the age of majority, leaving a will also allows you to decide who will be in charge of their care after you are gone.
A will is a legal document, and as such, has to meet specific legal criteria. Self-made wills often fail to meet these legal requirements, and as a result are in danger of invalidation. In order to avoid this risk, it is best to consult with a professional and engage the services of an estate planning lawyer during the process of writing your will.
An estate planning attorney can aid you in setting up a trust, if you choose to do so. A trust allows you to set conditions on how or when your assets will be distributed after your death. Trusts are often used to reduce taxes for your heirs, and allow them to inherit the trust assets without having to go through the process of probate court as in the case of wills.Trusts can also help protect assets from lawsuits or creditors.
A power of attorney document should also be drawn up in the presence of a lawyer as part of your estate planning. Should you ever have a medical condition that leaves you unable to make legal or financial decisions, the person designated by this document can legally make these decisions in your name. The absence of a power of attorney document can make such a situation even more complicated and stressful for your family.
Having a working relationship with an estate planning attorney can prove invaluable, should there ever be an inheritance dispute over your assets. Your attorney can then be called upon, and can help settle the dispute in the direction of your wishes as dictated by your will or any other supporting documents drawn up during your life. Thus you can ensure that your desires will be honored after your death regardless of potential disagreements.
Overall, an estate planning attorney can help you plan out the future of your assets and your dependents. He can also ensure that all necessary documentation is meeting all legal requirements. Consulting a professional can take the stress and the guesswork out of your estate plan.
A single individual with no assets or dependents may not feel the need to put together a will. However, if you have a spouse or children, it is important to ensure that the future of your loved ones is decided upon by yourself rather than strangers. Not leaving a will upon your demise can mean a long legal process and exorbitant estate taxes for your dependents.
A will primarily indicates how your assets will be distributed among your heirs after your death. However, it also determines any other procedures you decide upon, such as the aftercare of your remains or the funding for your funeral expenses. If your children are under the age of majority, leaving a will also allows you to decide who will be in charge of their care after you are gone.
A will is a legal document, and as such, has to meet specific legal criteria. Self-made wills often fail to meet these legal requirements, and as a result are in danger of invalidation. In order to avoid this risk, it is best to consult with a professional and engage the services of an estate planning lawyer during the process of writing your will.
An estate planning attorney can aid you in setting up a trust, if you choose to do so. A trust allows you to set conditions on how or when your assets will be distributed after your death. Trusts are often used to reduce taxes for your heirs, and allow them to inherit the trust assets without having to go through the process of probate court as in the case of wills.Trusts can also help protect assets from lawsuits or creditors.
A power of attorney document should also be drawn up in the presence of a lawyer as part of your estate planning. Should you ever have a medical condition that leaves you unable to make legal or financial decisions, the person designated by this document can legally make these decisions in your name. The absence of a power of attorney document can make such a situation even more complicated and stressful for your family.
Having a working relationship with an estate planning attorney can prove invaluable, should there ever be an inheritance dispute over your assets. Your attorney can then be called upon, and can help settle the dispute in the direction of your wishes as dictated by your will or any other supporting documents drawn up during your life. Thus you can ensure that your desires will be honored after your death regardless of potential disagreements.
Overall, an estate planning attorney can help you plan out the future of your assets and your dependents. He can also ensure that all necessary documentation is meeting all legal requirements. Consulting a professional can take the stress and the guesswork out of your estate plan.
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On our homepage we have included the contact details of a professional and competent estate planning attorney Washington DC area. To arrange a consultation with our experienced lawyer go to this website at http://cmcohenlaw.com.
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