Kick-Start Estate Planning

Estate planning is one of those life tasks that may keep moving to the bottom of your list.

You’re not alone, however. The National Association of Estate Planners and Councils estimates that more than 120 million Americans do not have the adequate estate planning needed to protect their families and loved ones in the event of a health emergency or unexpected death.

If you or an elder family member don’t have an estate plan, consider taking part in National Estate Planning Awareness Week by speaking with a Massachusetts estate planning lawyer to begin your own estate planning process or find out how you might assist an older relative with theirs.

Improper estate planning can be financially and emotionally devastating to those who must deal with its consequences. That’s one reason why the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAECP) established National Estate Planning Awareness Week in 2008.

Founded in 1962, the NAEPC is a non-profit business league with a strong commitment to promote financial and estate planning throughout the year. During National Estate Planning Awareness Week, the organization sponsors seminars and webinars and provides educational materials to members of the estate planning profession.

This year’s even takes place from October 16 through 22.

A Massachusetts elder law attorney can assist you with issues regarding financial wellness, such as budgeting, insurance, tax planning and investing.

We can work with you to develop a plan for charitable giving, organizing important documents or protecting the financial interests of your family.

By promoting National Estate Planning Awareness Week, the experts at NAECP are confident that more people will discover that estate planning is not just about what happens after you die. It’s about improving the quality of your life.

To take full advantage of National Estate Planning Awareness week, be proactive in creating or updating the estate and financial plans that will most benefit you and your family.

• Organize your important documents and make a list of assets and liabilities.
• Make a list of your financial advisers.
• Identify your goals, including retirement plans, goals for charitable giving, goals for your children or other beneficiaries and for your long-term healthcare.
• List the questions you would like to discuss with an estate planning professional.
• Interview a Massachusetts elder lawyer, ask how many years of experience they have in estate planning, what and how fees are charges and if they offer an introductory meeting free-of-charge.
• Bring your documents and lists to the initial meeting.
• Discuss your goals with the attorney and see if you believe he or she is the right person to assist you.

It will take more than one week to develop or update your plans, but with proper preparation you can make the most of your initial meeting and save many hours of billable time.

But what’s more important, you will be providing emotional and financial security for your loved ones and peace of mind for yourself.

CC BY-SA 3.0 Nick Youngson