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This sometimes-personal conversation occurred a few weeks after Hurricane Milton devastated Tampa in October 2024, and now is a good time to remember the lessons: get your documents in order and make sure you have backups and copies.
The 2025 Hurricane Season is upon us, and it’s time to prepare. Organize your legal documents, save remote copies/backups with family, backup services, and perhaps key people mentioned in your documents.
One reason people don’t do end-of-life planning is they think that when they plan, they’ll die soon. Well, that could happen, but it’s usually very improbable. When done the right way with someone who listens, empathizes, keeps the mood light, you can create an estate plan that makes your life better.
Here are some of the things that estate planning does for you while you are alive:
Of course, having an estate plan also offers you peace of mind that you have done what you could to protect loved ones and pass on your assets efficiently after death. Having an estate plan in place before you pass guarantees that:
This sometimes-personal conversation occurred a few weeks after Hurricane Milton devastated Tampa in October 2024, and now is a good time to remember the lessons: get your documents in order and make sure you have backups and copies.
The 2025 Hurricane Season is upon us, and it’s time to prepare. Organize your legal documents, save remote copies/backups with family, backup services, and perhaps key people mentioned in your documents.
Two main ones in my experience – lack of proper beneficiary designations on bank accounts, IRAs, life insurance…AND residences being incorrectly titled – especially when purchased by people in committed relationships. They often think, “For sure, if one passes, the other automatically owns the whole.” Not so!
It’s easily avoided.
This happens. Sometimes a person appointed Power of Attorney dies. It’s readily remedied. I recommend successors already be in place to prevent having to do anything.
This is not true. Any amount of money requires some estate planning. Much that’s needed doesn’t need an attorney
What’s the most important thing someone can do to get started with their estate plan?
A good place to start is to do an inventory of what you have. Not just tangible property – pictures, books, etc., but more intangible property like bank accounts and life insurance. Next figure out who you want to represent you with documents that are relevant while you’re alive and those that come into play after you pass. Work with a good attorney.
This role only comes into play after someone passes. This person is the one you’ve chosen to dispose of your estate – whatever you own when you pass that hasn’t been legally designated to go to someone specific. A good plan covers tangible personal property from vehicles to knickknacks. Sadly, probate is the result if anything hasn’t been beneficiary designated.
We have a unique perspective on estate planning that serves our clients well. We thoroughly review not just your assets and your wishes but your legacy. We ask the questions “What’s in the best interest of this family, how do we achieve those goals and what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?” After answering these key questions, we help you determine the best course of action for your family going forward.
