It seems like there is always some sort “national something-or-other” to celebrate. Last week recognized National IPA Day and National Girlfriends Day. Tomorrow is International Cat Day. Later this week is National S’mores Day. While we can’t celebrate every holiday, there are a few significant ones that should make us all stop and think – like National Estate Planning Awareness Month, which just so happens to be August!
Same Song and Dance
If you read any of our blogs, you will read something about some area of estate planning. Wills, Trusts, Patient Advocate Designations, Powers of Attorney – they are all under the estate planning umbrella. If you schedule a free consultation with us, we are happy to get into the nitty-gritty about the details of each. For those of you who just can’t wait that long (FYI: National Patience Day is November 9), you can read our Estate Planning section. It’s a valuable resource full of definitions, explanations, and links to paperwork and other websites that might help answer some of your initial questions.
But Why Do I Care About National Estate Planning Month?
Good question! You (should) care for multiple, significant reasons.
- You qualify. Everyone, regardless of your age, race, religion, socio-economic status, fame, or fortune, will die. That’s the only qualification. Estate Planning is for everyone.
- You Get to Be Super Human. Think of estate planning as a super-natural power – it’s your ability to control your assets (including money, pets, real estate, and businesses) from the grave. While alive, you are able to establish legally-bound directions as to how you wish your remaining assets to be handled after you’re gone. Documents like Patient Advocate Designations and Powers of Attorney allow you to control what happens while you’re still alive, but unable to make those decisions any longer. Regardless of what a relative or close friend wants for you and your belongings, they have to follow the directions you have outlined in your estate plan. This type of pre-planning offers peace of mind not only to you, but also to your loved ones. No one needs to stress about how you want medical decisions handled or who will be offended about not getting what – it’s all said and done the moment you sign your estate plan.
- Everyone Loves a Buffet. Your plan is customizable to you. An estate plan offers you the option to draft Wills, Trusts, Patient Advocate Designations, Powers of Attorney, and other significant documents. You may wish to have all of these, one, or only a couple. You are able to pick and choose which pieces serve you, your needs, and your remaining wishes the best. Not the most exciting last meal, but it will honor your wishes for eternity. Get it while it’s hot!
- You Care About Your Loved Ones. I hate to say it, but your death isn’t all about you. Your loved ones are grieving. They need to deal with their feelings and also your belongings. Creating an estate plan is a selfless gift to the people you care about so that they can focus on grieving the loss of such an amazing person (you!) and not on paperwork.
- You Don’t Really Care About Anyone. On the flipside of point four, maybe you don’t value any relationship enough to leave any of your assets to anyone. That’s okay too, and that’s where estate planning is even more valuable. Want to give all of your money to your favorite charity? Make sure your beloved pet is provided for above all else? We’ll write it in, and Presto! It’s done.
This Month. Next Month. Whenever You’re Ready – We’re Here!
Of course it would be timely do draft your estate plan during National Estate Planning Month, but you really can do it whenever you are ready. In the meantime, free consultations never hurt. Contact us for one at: In**@***********ro.com or 248.399.3300.