Dwelling on what will happen to your family when you're gone is never pleasant, but the consequences of not being fully prepared can be even more painful. Some people mistakenly think that their verbally expressed wishes regarding the division of their assets is enough, but the fact is that those statements are not legally enforceable. According to the probate law experts at Woodlawn Law Offices in O'Fallon, MO, if you die without a will, the state will divide your assets for you. Under these circumstances, the court will use a formula that might leave out the people who are most important to you.

Even if you only possess a savings account, retirement fund, or car, your family will benefit from careful estate planning. Depending on the state of your finances, you might also need to establish a living trust that helps your family avoid the expensive and lengthy probate process. The attorneys at Woodlawn Law Offices have a variety of tools at their disposal, and they will be glad to help decide which strategy is best for your family.

In addition to wills and trusts, a comprehensive plan includes durable powers of attorney and medical directives, assigning the power to handle your affairs if you become unable to. You may think that your immediate family will automatically have the right to make these decisions, but in many cases, the law requires written documentation first.

Let Woodlawn Law Offices help develop the plan that's right for you. Visit their website to learn more, or call (636) 240-6667 to schedule a consultation with their lawyers today.