How Are Your Resolutions Coming?

Resolutions: We Start the Year with Them, How Are Yours Coming?

One of the most common New Year's Resolutions is to finally do a Will or estate plan. Because of this, there is always an uptick in calls I receive from people with questions about Wills. Here are several of the more common recent questions with my responses, maybe you've thought about similar questions too.

1. How much do Wills cost?

This question is more complex than you may think since each Will and each client is different. There are many different kinds and varieties of Wills, each one, if done properly, is custom designed for each client. The only way to learn about the costs of a Will or estate plan is to have an estate planning assessment with an attorney who specializes in estate planning. This assessment meeting should be low cost and you should receive credit for the cost of the meeting against the fee for doing the Will.

2. Can't I just do my own Will on the internet?

As many of you know already, I have written several articles on this very topic! Yes, you can do your own Will, but in most cases, you will be disappointed with the result. The reason that internet and fill-in-the-blank Wills don't work is that they are not designed for any one person. They are generic and non-specific, the reason they can apply to everyone is that they don't apply to anyone!

Additionally, do it yourself documents carry legal consequences that can create traps for you and your family. For the most part, you will be better protected and your family will be safer if you have your documents prepared for you by a qualified attorney who specializes in estate planning.

3. Is a Will enough or do I need more?

A Will alone is never enough for ANY client. This is because your Will is valid only if you die. Your Will does NOT apply if you are sick, or become disabled or incapacitated. This is why I recommend that every client add the following documents, at a minimum: a)Durable Financial Power of Attorney; b)Durable Medical or Health Care Power of Attorney; and c)Living Will. These additional documents are necessary to protect you if you are incapacitated because your Will does nothing while you are alive.

4. I have a Will already, how do I know if it is current?

Any Will or estate planning document should be reviewed periodically. You should plan on doing a review with your attorney every two years, or if something significant happens in your life. Examples include: births, deaths, divorces, marriages, moving to another State, changing careers etc. The best way to think about such changes is if the change is significant, it's time to review your Will.

Additionally, the laws change from time to time and these changes can cause potential problems with your documents. If you read or see something about changes in the law, or receive a notice from your lawyer about them, then it's time to schedule a review meeting.

If you have a question not addressed here, or simply want to join our conversation about Wills and estate planning, just let me know, all questions are welcome!

Thank you for your interest!

Bernie Greenberg