When you think of estate planning, images such as a huge house or mansion with a perfect lawn, nice cars, and fountains strewn throughout gorgeous flower gardens may come to mind. Many people think that estate planning is only for the very wealthy, but these people don’t realize that estate planning is for people of all different financial statuses. Nearly everyone can benefit from it. You may have questions about estate planning such as, “How do I avoid the costs of probate?” and “where do my money and assets go when I die?” These are good questions, but state planning is so much more than that. It is important to get the job done right to avoid going to court. The main reason for the growth of probate litigation is that documentation is being done incorrectly and incompletely. Many planning documents are not clear or valid, and this leads to costly and inconvenient probate litigation.
Some people also think that if you are single or if you have no children, you do not need to plan your estate. These people are also wrong. A single person has just as much needs to plan as does a person with a spouse and family. If you are married but have no children, you also should plan your estate. Why? Because you have the same things to consider that a big family would. For example, suppose something were to happen to you or your loved one. In the event that you become incapacitated and cannot make decisions for yourself anymore, who is going to do it for you, and how will they exert their authority to do so? Planning your estate properly is the only way to ensure that you have someone you trust setting up your finances and long term care in this case. You also want to know where your money and assets are going after you pass on. If you want to give some or all of your money to charities, the only way to ensure it’s going to the right one(s) is through estate planning. If you happen to get married or have children later, you can always go back and change your plans.
How Does Los Gatos Estate Planning Work
An estate planner with plenty of experience will take you through a series of questions about what you want to happen in the event of an incapacitation or your death. These are questions about your family, children, grandchildren, charities, and more. There are a lot of things to take into consideration as well as numerous unknowns, Some of the questions you will go over are like this:
- Do you have minor children?
- Is your spouse or child disabled?
- Are there any drug or alcohol abuse issues to consider?
- Is there a history of dementia or alzheimers?
- Do you want to pay fir someone’s college education?
- Who will make your financial and medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated?
What is Santa Cruz Estate Planning?
Estate planning can be a long and tedious process, especially if you try to do it on your own. Hiring an estate planning professional in Santa Cruz can help relieve the tedium. And if you do try to do it on your own, then you will be especially at risk for the mistakes and lack of clarity that lead to expensive litigation. There are techniques that were designed just for planning an estate that Mr. Ward uses with his clients. He conducts multi-generational meetings to counsel clients who are looking for estate planning in Santa Cruz. He advises them on the necessary decisions that must be made during the estate planning process so they can properly protect their families and assets. Mr. Ward also counsels clients on how to properly transfer assets, some of which may have taken a lifetime to build. In order to properly transfer assets there must be a lot of discussion about the options and alternatives that are available to you. He wants to ensure that his clients’ wishes are met and for a lot of them, flexibility is important for their needs. There are some statistical averages and patterns that allow us to assume some things; however, not everything adheres to or falls under the umbrella of these patterns and standards. This is something that will be taken into account through professional estate planning with Mr. Ward.
Don’t wait any longer!
To receive your free initial consultation:
Call 800-JIM-WARD (800-546-9273)
Why Using a Professional Santa Cruz Estate Planner is Important
Estate planning involves asking a lot of questions. Some of these may be simple and easy for one couple to answer while at the same time being so difficult for another that they need time to think about it before they can move forward. A client may want to consult with an adult child or they may want to keep everything about their situation and planning private until after they die. Sometimes clients have built up a great deal of wealth that they don’t want their children or heirs to know about until they have passed. Cases differ from person to person.
This type of law is extremely personal. The questions asked are about your life and your family. Nothing gets more personal than that. Everybody has got their own personal family journey and story. What works for one person may not work for another; there is no single right answer. Every family has their own values, issues, and wishes for their families and intended beneficiaries. We respect that and do our very best to counsel people about the different ways to achieve their goals for themselves and their beneficiaries.
Mr. Ward understands his clients’ needs and wishes because he takes the time to get to know each one personally. Our estate planning office in Santa Cruz usually does not charge for an initial consultation. We can also usually offer basic guidance with just a conversation held over the phone. When you are ready, feel free to give us a call and see if there is anything we can help you with for your estate.