With An Estate Planning Attorney Seattle WA Residents Can Manage Their Affairs Properly

By Peter Jackson


The majority of people work hard to improve their lives and the lives of their loved ones. They do everything possible to make sure that their loved ones are financially secure, that the kids receive a good education and that provision is made for emergencies. In time, most people build up estates. These estates need to be managed, however, and it can be a daunting task. With help from an estate planning attorney Seattle WA families can rest assured.

It is shocking to learn just how many people die without last wills and testaments or with testaments that are woefully out of date. In such cases those loved ones left behind may suffer hardship. Probation will take much longer and the estate of the deceased is wide open for legal action. The importance of maintaining an up to date last will cannot be overemphasized.

It is especially younger people that are often under the misconception that estates need to be large in order to merit a formal management plan. This is simply not true. A survey of the truly wealthy will show that these people started to formally plan their estates from a very early age, even when they earned very little. They are also wise enough to make use of the expert services of a lawyer that specializes in this field.

The last will and testament does not only deal with the wrapping up of estates after the testator dies. Many people use their wills to make sure that their wishes are honoured when they become unable to handle their own legal affairs. Accidents, illness and a wide variety of other conditions can render people incompetent to make informed decisions.

When someone dies, the last will and testament goes through the probate process. This can take some time, especially if the estate is complicated or if the will is complex. During this period the loved ones of the deceased may struggle to survive. That is why lawyers advise their clients to make provision for the financial survival of their loved ones during the probate period.

It s a sad fact that many people use their last wills and testaments as tools of control or punishment. Experts agree that this is not a good idea because such wills can easily be contested in court. This does not mean, however, that a testator must be blind for the weaknesses of his heirs. If an heir is a known spendthrift, for example, it is only prudent to introduce measures to protect the heir against himself.

Experts also agree that a last will must never be treated as a surprise. The content of a last will should be known to everyone concerned. It is not fair or just to leave loved ones hanging until after the death of the testator. Discussing the content of the will with loved ones can help to avoid conflict at a later stage and any misconceptions, false hopes and disagreements can be managed while the testator is still alive.

Even very small estates should be backed by a proper management plan. Nobody is too poor to merit a last will and testament. A lawyer that specialize in this field can help to manage estates responsibly and even profitably.




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