The future of your assets and loved ones after your death is a subject most people find intimidating. As a result, few who intend to write a will actually get around to doing so. Neglecting to leave a will can cause additional stress and anxiety for your dependents during an already emotional time. Working with an estate planning attorney Washington DC has numerous benefits which you need to know.
A single individual with no assets or dependents may not feel the need to put together a will. However, if you have a spouse or children, it is important to ensure that the future of your loved ones is decided upon by yourself rather than strangers. Not leaving a will upon your demise can mean a long legal process and exorbitant estate taxes for your dependents.
A will primarily indicates how your assets will be distributed among your heirs after your death. However, it also determines any other procedures you decide upon, such as the aftercare of your remains or the funding for your funeral expenses. If your children are under the age of majority, leaving a will also allows you to decide who will be in charge of their care after you are gone.
Being a legal document, a will needs to be more than just a piece of paper bearing your signature. Self-written wills are frequently invalidated due to their failure to meet the necessary legal requirements. An estate planning attorney can help you avoid this, as well as other problems such as loop holes which can result in inheritance disputes in the future.
If you are considering setting up a trust as part of your estate plan, an attorney can help you in this process as well. A trust is a legal structure that lets you set conditions on how or when certain assets will be made available to your heirs. Trusts can help reduce estate taxes, shorten the duration of the legal process of inheritance, and help protect the trust assets from creditors.
Along with a will, you should also consider drawing up a document of power of attorney. Should you become mentally incapacitated, the power of attorney document allows a person of your choice to make legal, financial or health care-related decisions on your behalf. A lawyer can help you put together a legally valid power of attorney document.
If an inheritance dispute arises following the disclosure of a will, your attorney is once again on your side. He can be called upon at that time to resolve the dispute. As the legal professional who has overseen the writing of the will, he will have access to the necessary resources in order to be able to settle the matters in favor of your wishes.
Overall, an estate planning attorney can help you plan out the future of your assets and your dependents. He can also ensure that all necessary documentation is meeting all legal requirements. Consulting a professional can take the stress and the guesswork out of your estate plan.
A single individual with no assets or dependents may not feel the need to put together a will. However, if you have a spouse or children, it is important to ensure that the future of your loved ones is decided upon by yourself rather than strangers. Not leaving a will upon your demise can mean a long legal process and exorbitant estate taxes for your dependents.
A will primarily indicates how your assets will be distributed among your heirs after your death. However, it also determines any other procedures you decide upon, such as the aftercare of your remains or the funding for your funeral expenses. If your children are under the age of majority, leaving a will also allows you to decide who will be in charge of their care after you are gone.
Being a legal document, a will needs to be more than just a piece of paper bearing your signature. Self-written wills are frequently invalidated due to their failure to meet the necessary legal requirements. An estate planning attorney can help you avoid this, as well as other problems such as loop holes which can result in inheritance disputes in the future.
If you are considering setting up a trust as part of your estate plan, an attorney can help you in this process as well. A trust is a legal structure that lets you set conditions on how or when certain assets will be made available to your heirs. Trusts can help reduce estate taxes, shorten the duration of the legal process of inheritance, and help protect the trust assets from creditors.
Along with a will, you should also consider drawing up a document of power of attorney. Should you become mentally incapacitated, the power of attorney document allows a person of your choice to make legal, financial or health care-related decisions on your behalf. A lawyer can help you put together a legally valid power of attorney document.
If an inheritance dispute arises following the disclosure of a will, your attorney is once again on your side. He can be called upon at that time to resolve the dispute. As the legal professional who has overseen the writing of the will, he will have access to the necessary resources in order to be able to settle the matters in favor of your wishes.
Overall, an estate planning attorney can help you plan out the future of your assets and your dependents. He can also ensure that all necessary documentation is meeting all legal requirements. Consulting a professional can take the stress and the guesswork out of your estate plan.
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On our homepage we have included the contact details of a professional and competent estate planning attorney Washington DC area. To arrange a consultation with our experienced lawyer go to this website at http://cmcohenlaw.com.
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