With the Tips For Estate Planning Over Christmas from The Sterling Law Group, you can discuss the entire process in an understandable manner. Without further ado, let’s look at a few estate planning tips you should take under advisement this Christmas. As the year 2021 is almost over and the Christmas holidays are upon us, many people are looking forward to end-of-year festivities and spending quality time with their loved ones. It’s likely that estate planning is not the first thing written on your to-do list this holiday season.
Many people procrastinate and frequently put off estate planning, but what better time than the Christmas season to discuss your plans while everyone is together. However, the estate planning process can be challenging, especially if you have no financial knowledge it doesn’t have to be.
Three Tips For Estate Planning Over Christmas
Having an estate plan can dramatically decrease future stress for your family and yourself. Below you will find three important tips that will make estate planning over Christmas a success.
1. Get Your Paperwork Together
When you have decided to begin estate planning, the first thing you need to do is get your paperwork together, preferably before the Christmas holidays start. You will need to gather all important documentation pertaining to your life. Papers such as your financials, bank account information, documents surrounding any assets you may have, and other legal papers.
Next, you need to make lists of the important people in your life and their contact information. You also need to include an Advance Healthcare directive that states your preferences for medical treatment. These documents you will take with you to an attorney who will begin the next estate planning stage.
2. Meet With An Estate Planning Attorney
After you have all your important documents together in one place, you can visit an estate planning attorney. A California estate planning lawyer will be able to help you understand the various state and federal laws that affect your belongings. These laws affect how your belongings will be inventoried, how they will be valued and dispersed, and how they will be taxed upon your death.
There are various other tasks this type of lawyer can assist you with, including:
- Help you create a will.
- Establishing a medical and durable power of attorney.
- Guide you with designating your beneficiaries.
- When possible, assist you with finding ways to avoid and reduce estate tax.
- Help you set up the trusts you may need to protect your assets. This is for your benefit during your lifetime and for your dependents in the event of incapacity.
3. Speak With Your Family
Once you have spoken with your estate planning attorney, you need to speak with your family over the Christmas holidays. You will have made the decisions you want to be carried out upon your death so you can tell them your wishes and answer any questions they may have for you. You can also tell them where your estate planning documents will be kept or with whom.
During this stage, you can tell your family who you have decided you want to be the executor of your will and who you want as your agent under your financial power of attorney.
You can also tell them who you have decided to be your patient advocate. Lastly, you can also tell your family how you want medical or long-term care situations to be carried out.
Get In Touch With A California Estate Planning Attorney Today To Discuss Your Estate Wishes
Estate planning this Christmas doesn’t need to be a depressing event. If you want to get your affairs in order, speak with a Roseville California estate planning attorney. Lawyers from The Sterling Law Group are here to guide you in all legal processes.
Our attorneys are well equipped to help you get your estate in order and answer any questions you might have. Contact us here or consider calling us at (916) 790-0852 to speak with one of our qualified attorneys who are eager to be of assistance.