Estate planning is not just about you. It’s easy to put this on the backburner and forget about it as an important activity when you’re only thinking about an estate that you believe is relatively small or simple, but the truth is that estate planning is about so much more.
It’s about the legacy you leave behind to your loved ones and even with simple estates, you can do a lot of upfront work that makes it easier for your family members to navigate this process.
Make Sure Your Estate Plan Reduces Family Stress
Speak to anyone who has lost a loved one where no estate planning was done and ask about what happened. Most people have interacted with at least one colleague, friend or family member who’s been through this situation. This can cause dissension in the family, frustration, unnecessary delays and confusion. Whoever ends up appointed as the executor (personal representative) in these situations may have a long road ahead of them and certain family members may not be protected if no estate plan was put in place.
For example, imagine someone who passes away with only their name on the deed to a piece of real estate and no will. This means that the home could potentially become part of the probate estate divided among all of surviving family members based on intestate succession.
Contact a Boston Estate Planning Firm
Talk to an experienced and qualified estate planning lawyer in your area to learn more about how you can make things easier for your loved ones.
