Estate Planning Checklist
Estate planning is an important and responsible thing to do. However, there are many steps involved and it can become complex. To make it easier, our St. Petersburg estate planning lawyer has created a checklist to ensure that nothing gets missed in yours.
Outline Your Goals
You should start outlining your goals by first determining what will happen to your property after you pass away or become disabled. You should also consider what will happen if you live longer than your beneficiaries, and the alternatives you will use. You should also determine how your assets will be distributed and when distributions will occur.
Collect Information
It is important to review and update your financial situation. One of the most important things to review is how you hold title to your property and whether it is aligned with your estate plan. How you hold title to property takes priority over provisions within your will, so this is a critical step. For example, if you are on the title of property with another owner, the property will transfer to them upon your death. If you name a beneficiary for the property that is not the co-owner, they will not receive it after you pass away and it could create additional complications.
Determine the Estate Planning Documents Right for You
There are many different documents you may want to include in your estate plan. Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney are just a few of these. Still, while everyone should have certain documents, such as a will, others are not right for everyone. You should speak to an attorney when drafting your plan. A lawyer can outline the purpose and benefits of these documents and help you determine which ones are right for you.
If you have already prepared certain documents but have not reviewed them for some time, this is also an important step to take. Your lawyer can advise on whether you should make changes, void old documents, or create new ones.
Execute Your Plan
Once you have determined which estate planning documents you want to include in your plan, you then need to execute them. Working with a lawyer becomes even more important at this stage. An attorney will know how to ensure your documents are properly drafted. If your documents are not executed properly, it could leave them open to contests and challenges in the future.
Review Your Plan Periodically
After you have determined what estate planning documents you need, and have executed them, you then need to review the plan periodically. You need to review your plan any time there is a significant event in your family such as a marriage, divorce, birth, or death. Even without these events, you should review your plan every three to five years. You should determine if your beneficiaries and alternates are still your preference, and make sure all of your documents are current.
Our Estate Planning Lawyer in St. Petersburg Can Help with Your Plan
There are many steps involved in estate planning and it is important to work with a St. Petersburg estate planning lawyer who will ensure nothing gets missed. At Legacy Protection Lawyers, LLP, our experienced attorneys can help you identify your goals and ensure your plan is comprehensive and tailored to your unique situation. Call us now at 727-471-5868 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0732/0732.html
