While it’s never easy to get started, planning for your passing can bring you the ultimate peace of mind. From knowing that your wishes will be carried out to planning for your family’s future, you can do a lot with the help of an estate planning attorney. The following guide covers the most crucial factors to consider.

What to Discuss With Your Estate Planning Attorney

1. Wills & Trusts

These two documents are the bread and butter of the estate planning process. When drafting a will, you clearly state how property should be distributed among your survivors—from real estate to savings accounts. If you have minor children or pets, use this document to choose a future guardian for them. Alternatively, some people put their property and assets into a living trust, so they are administered directly to their loved ones without waiting for the long probate process (when the courts verify a will before distributing the property).

2. Powers of Attorney

Next, think about who will take care of matters on your behalf if you ever become incapacitated. In other words, if you’re still alive but cannot answer a doctor’s questions due to brain damage, you can designate a health care power of attorney to make decisions. This should be someone you trust entirely, such as a spouse, child, or best friend. In addition, choose a financial power of attorney, who can oversee your funds in the same situation.

3. Funeral Pre-Planning

Finally, use the estate planning process to make your funeral wishes known. Want to be cremated and have your ashes scattered in the mountains? Or would you prefer to be buried alongside family? Detail specific requests for your family to refer to. You can also use this period to budget for the service, paying off the funeral expenses so they don’t pass onto your loved ones.

If you’re interested in getting a head-start on this crucial process, reach out to the estate planning attorney at the Law Offices Of Charley Johnson in Leon County, TX. He has spent over 35 years helping clients plan for their future and attain peace of mind. In addition to wills and trusts, he also handles other family law matters. To learn more about his services, visit the website. Call (903) 536-2185 to arrange for a consultation with this estate planning attorney.