Life isn’t easy. In truth, neither is death. Planning for your passing is hard work, but if you neglect it, the loved ones you leave behind will be forced to pick up the slack (sometimes paying a pretty penny to do so).
The New York Times recently ran an article about how surprisingly complicated even seemingly “basic” estate planning can be. Entitled “There’s More to Estate Planning Than Just the Will,” the Times piece recounted one story after another in which unsuspecting family members were blindsided by cumbersome paperwork, hefty expenses, or unforeseen legal wrinkles after a relative passed away.
The article points out that planning for death is “tedious” and “not very pleasant,” but also absolutely critical. At an absolute minimum, everyone should have a few key documents in place:
– Last Will and Testament
– Living Trust
– Power of Attorney
– Living Will
– Durable Health Care Power of Attorney
– Power of Attorney
But even those weren’t enough to cover the people featured in the Times report — and for thousands of people throughout Arizona every year. Other important considerations include bank accounts, online account passwords, DD-214 forms for veterans, tax documents, and much, much more.
Fortunately, when it comes to the unpleasant process of preparing for the inevitable, an experienced law firm can shoulder much of the burden. To find out where your estate stands, contact the Phoenix estate planning attorneys, we’re here to help.
