It’s easy to believe that you’ll always have time to plan your estate later or your family will know what to do if something happened to you. Unfortunately, life is unpredictable, and the unexpected can occur at any time. A comprehensive estate plan gives you the power to control your own affairs, while preventing potentially bitter conflicts between family members. Here are just a few reasons to visit an attorney to prepare your estate plan.

Why You Should Prepare Your Estate

You Control Who Gets Your Belongings

If you pass away without a will, your assets will be divided among your immediate family members—without regard for the strength of those relationships. Writing a will ensures your most valuable belongings and sentimental items go to the people you choose, rather than relatives you might not even know.

Estate Plans Prevent Family Feuds

After losing a loved one, raw nerves and grief can lead people into heated legal debates over savings accounts, investments, or even emotionally significant mementos. If you prepare your own estate plan, your family members will be more likely to respect your decisions, even if they disagree with them.

You Make Your Own Medical Decisions

A comprehensive estate plan includes a living will, which allows you to make medical decisions in advance about end-of-life care and acceptable outcomes. If you’re unable to communicate with your doctors, this document ensures you’ll get the treatment you want.

An Estate Plan Empowers Your Loved Ones

You might think that your spouse can manage your financial or medical affairs if you’re incapacitated, but this isn’t always the case. Durable powers of attorney give those you trust the legal authority to make important health care decisions and sign financial documents on your behalf.

Planning your estate can be overwhelming and difficult, but a skilled attorney can answer your questions, anticipate problems, and make the process as simple as possible. Since 1984, the attorneys at Privette Law Office have provided detailed legal guidance to clients throughout Willow Springs, MO. Visit their website to learn more about their legal services, or call (417) 469-3535 to speak with an attorney and schedule a consultation.