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Estate planning could help you avoid these consequences

On Behalf of | Oct 15, 2020 | Estate Planning

Procrastination is a bad habit that most people fall victim to from time to time. You may have found yourself trying to beat a deadline of some kind at the last minute more than once, and you always swear you will not leave things until the last minute again. Of course, like many others, it always seems to happen again. However, waiting too long to face certain undertakings could lead to serious consequences.

If you have not yet started estate planning, your reasons may coincide with many others who delay this task. You may think that you do not need a plan because you do not have many assets or because you are young. You may think that you have plenty of time to create a plan. Unfortunately, those are common misconceptions.

Avoiding unfortunate consequences

Planning ahead is important because anyone could suffer an incapacitating or fatal illness or injury at any time. Though it may be difficult to think about, it is important to do so in efforts of avoiding the consequences of not planning. Some issues that your plans could help avert include the following:

  • Surviving family having to go through a lengthy court process to determine the guardian for your minor children
  • Having your assets pass on to individuals you may not have desired
  • Fighting among family members over who gets what or how to handle certain estate-related matters
  • Wasted time as medical professionals and loved ones determine who should make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated

Taking the time to plan now could help you and your family avoid difficult personal and legal ordeals like these and many others that could delay important steps in handling your care or settling your estate.

How can you start?

Not knowing where to start is another common reason that individuals in California and elsewhere delay estate planning. Fortunately, an experienced attorney could help you get on the right track when it comes to getting your affairs in order. This legal professional could explain your planning options, assess your specific needs and wishes, and assist you in creating a comprehensive plan with which you feel comfortable.

Though starting may be hard, having a plan in place may bring about invaluable peace of mind. You certainly do not want to leave yourself or your loved ones in a situation filled with more difficulties simply because you did not plan ahead.

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