Do you really need an estate plan?

Planning for the future can be a difficult and complex task. Many people avoid it simply because they do not want to consider what will happen after they pass away. While considering your own mortality can be a difficult thing to address, it is in your interests and the interests of your loved ones to do so. Most Florida adults will benefit from having an estate plan in place regardless of income level, age, health status and the size of the individual estate.

You do not have to be wealthy or unhealthy to benefit from having a plan. Through different estate planning documents, you can control certain elements of your future, including what will happen to your property and what types of medical care you may want in case of incapacitation. If you do not have an estate plan, you are taking risks with your future and the well-being of your heirs and beneficiaries.

Caring for your children

One of the primary reasons why you will want an estate plan is to care for and protect your children. Through the terms of your will, you can leave certain assets to your kids, as well as name a guardian for them in case of your death. This will ensure they have care and support even if you are not there to provide it for them. There are other estate planning tools that will allow you to set aside and protect assets for a specific use, such as college tuition for your kids or grandkids.

Other important considerations

What will happen to your property is only one important consideration when creating an estate plan. One important factor is the size of the estate and the tax implications of passing assets in specific ways. You will benefit from considering how to protect yourself from exorbitant tax penalties and how to distribute wealth in a way that is both meaningful and practical.

The ideal estate plan for you

There is no one-size-fits-all estate plan. You will benefit from seeking an assessment of your estate in order to determine how to create a strategy that will allow you to look to the future with confidence. With the right plans in place, you can care for your loved ones, explain your medical care preferences and take other steps that will allow you to have a measure of control over your future.