Planning for the Unthinkable

Planning for the Unthinkable

               Many people simply don’t want to think about unpleasant topics like what will happen when you die, or what will happen if you get so sick or injured that you are unable to make your own decisions.  Can’t really blame people for side stepping these issues, but the responsible thing to do is get it over with and do the right thing.

               Even if you don’t have much now, that doesn’t mean that when you pass away there won’t be important assets and debts that need to be addressed.  If you don’t take the time now to plan ahead, you will get what the Washington State Legislature determined should happen in cases where there is no will or an invalid will.  This result can be very different from what you would want to have happen, and there is really nothing anyone can do about it after the fact.  There can also be serious tax issues that if not appropriately addressed, can really bite into your estate.   Creating a well crafted will can ensure that your wishes are carried out with a minimum of heartburn for your family.

               If you are so ill or injured that you can’t make your own health care and financial decisions, you can plan ahead and appoint and direct the person or persons you want to make these decisions for you.  If you don’t plan ahead, you tend to get the first person that goes to all the trouble and expense of asking a court to grant them these powers.  Not only may this not be the person you want to make those important decisions, but it will cost a lot more money than if you had taken some simple steps now.

               Estate planning is really pretty simple and not nearly as expensive as you might think.  Now is the time to set up an appointment and get the guidance on how to best achieve your goals.  In all the years that I’ve been helping people with estate planning issues, I’ve never had anyone not feel much better about themselves after it’s completed.