As a well put together adult there are certain things you must prepare for and make detailed plans as soon as possible.
One of the most important things we should be planning for is our future and what we want to happen in all situations we may face.
To do this we need to think about the things we need in place in case we become disabled, incapacitated, or our end-of life plans.
An estate planning attorney in Ocean County is a vital person to have in order to protect your estate and affairs.
Read on to learn why you should worry about estate planning, what estate planning is, and how to find the best estate planning attorney in Toms River for you and your family.
What is estate planning?
Estate planning is the action of planning what will happen to your property during certain times in life.
When you put estate plans in place you are ensuring that your family gets what you want them to have, that your wishes are met, and who can manage your affairs when you cannot.
You do not have to wait until you are dying to plan for your future, nor does the planning have to be all about what happens when you die.
Making sure you have finished your estate planning long before you need it, and updating the plans as needed can allow you to rest easy knowing that your family and property are cared for.
It also ensures your fate and the fate of your property is left in the hands of the proper person.
If you die or become unable to make your own decisions, it is very likely that the state will decide for you or appoint someone in charge of making decisions.
This sometimes may mean that your health and fate of your property can be treated in a way that you would not like.
Planning for your future
There are several things you must decide on when properly and thoroughly planning your estate.
This could include:
- A trust
A trust allows you to appoint someone you trust to manage your property while you are alive. This can be good in case you become incapacitated or disabled.
- Durable power of attorney
This appoints someone you trust to manage your finances and health decisions if you become incapacitated.
- Living will
Provides directions to tell everyone your wishes if you become incapacitated or die. You can appoint someone to be your proxy for medical decisions with it.
- Long-term care plan
This tells everyone your wishes in case you need end-of-life care or need to make a decision on life-saving treatments. For instance, you can determine your thoughts on life support, or add a DNR.
- A will
It is one of the most vital things for estate planning. It tells who you want to inherit your property, can name a guardian for any children or pets that you have, and lets you appoint one person you can trust to ensure your wishes are carried out.
- And non-probate transfers
The probate process can mean that your beneficiaries get what you left them before the long probate process begins. This allows your property to be transferred to the people and charities you want it to go to. It can include the transfer of stocks and bonds. It can also appoint a beneficiary for your insurance cashout, retirement accounts, and your bank accounts contents.
Finding the best estate planning attorney
When you are ready to do your estate planning attorney in Ocean County, do your research to find the right attorney for you.
Determine what your wishes are and the paperwork you need — will, living will, trust, or long-term care plans, for instance.
Ask family, friends, and neighbors if they can refer someone.
Search online for an estate planning attorney in Toms River.
Look at the review of previous clients to determine how good the attorney is.
See if they can help you fill out all the paperwork they require.
Find out how much experience they have.
Check their credentials — do they have the proper training, licenses, and credentials they have allowing them to practice law.
Once you have finished with your estate planning you can rest assured that your wishes will be met, and that your property and health decisions do not fall in the wrong hands.
