No one wants to think about funeral homes in Fleming Island, FL, or other parts of death and dying, but you need to be as prepared for your passing as you can be. After all, everyone will pass eventually.
The more prepared you are, the less stress you will leave for your loved ones and family after you are gone. One of the biggest parts of planning for your death is dealing with your estate and legal matters. Estate planning attorneys are ideal for helping you do just that.
Estate planning attorneys help guide you through the process of deciding how you want to divide your assets, gathering and preparing necessary post-life documents, and making sure your wishes are carried out after you’re gone. These lawyers are important because sometimes, without proper legal advice, affairs are left up to family members that are unsure of your wishes, or, in the worst case, might fight over the decisions. Estate lawyers can help you draft, review, and authorize important documents such as last will and testament, trust, durable power of attorney, medical durable power of attorney, and beneficiary designations.
Like all other lawyers, estate-planning attorneys charge fees. They generally charge a flat rate for prepping your desired documents and a per hour rate for more complicated tasks like handling disputes or carrying out the will. Be sure to decide on rates up front with your lawyer to protect yourself from getting over charged.
But do you really need an estate-planning attorney? For most people, the answer is no. You don’t really need an estate planning unless:
- Your net worth is more than $5 million. If you have a large net worth, your estate might be subject to estate tax. In that case, it’s a good idea to consult a lawyer to make sure that your beneficiaries get what you wish as opposed to it being taken by taxes.
- You own large or many properties. Dividing up property can be tricky as titles are held in many ways and there are often confusing technicalities that you might be unaware of. In some cases, you might not even have the right to bequeath certain properties. An experiences lawyer can help guide you through these confusing laws to make sure your property is dealt with appropriately.
- You have special circumstances. From children with disabilities to foreign property or heirs, special circumstances and finances are tough to navigate.
If you’re unsure if you need an estate-planning lawyer, it couldn’t hurt to get a consultation. Remember, most lawyers do charge fees even for consultations, but sometimes peace of mind is worth the small cost.
If you have more questions about estate planning and attorneys, or want to know more about preplanning for your passing, Schnauss North East Florida Funeral Home and Cremation Services can help. We are a Fleming Island, FL funeral home and are honored to do what we can for you in your time of loss or preplanning. Call or visit us today.
