So you’ve gone to see an attorney and you’ve executed your basic estate plan (will, durable power of attorney, health care proxy and directive) and you worry now about how those that will take care of your affairs will know where all these documents are when you need them? Well, Thanksgiving is coming up and it’s the few times during the year when the entire family will be together to catch up on what’s been going on during the year, Christmas, and to enjoy family. It is also a great opportunity to sit down with the family to talk about your planning.
A lot of the problems that arise during probate is that no one knows what your wishes were and now they’re suddenly hearing or seeing it for the first time in a will that quite frankly, feels very legal and impersonal. If there are contentious family members, they might not believe that they’ve gotten so little or that what’s written in your will or trust is truly what you wanted. This is where families start blaming each other and getting into will contests when it really should be a time to celebrate your life.
So this holiday season, when you have your family together, why not share with them what’s in your will and/or trust? Tell them that you’ve gotten it made and when they should need it, where it is or better yet, ask them to contact the attorney that drafted the documents for you. If you communicate your wishes now, it might provide that stitch that will heal your family down the road.
