In case you didn’t know, if you don’t have a plan, your state has one for you, but you probably won’t like it.
During these odd times, estate planning becomes even more relevant. At disability: If your name is on the title of your assets and you can’t conduct business due to mental or physical incapacity, only a court appointee can sign for you. The court, not your family, will control how your assets are used to care for you through a conservatorship or guardianship (depending on the term used in your state). It can become expensive and time consuming, it is open to the public, and it can be difficult to end even if you recover. At your death: If you die without an intentional estate plan, your assets will be distributed according to the probate laws in your state. In many states, if you are married and have children, your spouse and children will each receive a share. That means your spouse could receive only a fraction of your estate, which may not be enough to live on. If you have minor children, the court will control their inheritance. If both parents die (i.e., in a car accident), the court will appoint a guardian without knowing whom you would have chosen. If you'd like a short-term solution to what you should have done long ago, there are some statutory forms that could be used to provide at least a minimal level of protection. The least you can do is execute the following documents on your own: 1. Statutory Will http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/publications/2014_CAStatutoryWillForm_ab_1986_bill_20100715.pdf 2. Power of Attorney https://www.magomedovlaw.com/uploads/3/1/8/3/31835657/uniform-statutory-form-power-of-attorney.pdf 3. Advance Health Care Directive https://www.magomedovlaw.com/uploads/3/1/8/3/31835657/ahcd.pdf These documents are not a substitute for a comprehensive and personalized estate plan or attorney's advice; however, they are a good starting point, which you can accomplish on your own with very minimal time effort. Given the choice—and you do have the choice—wouldn’t you prefer these matters be handled privately by your family, not by the courts? Wouldn’t you prefer to keep control of who receives what and when? And, if you have young children, wouldn’t you prefer to have a say in who will raise them if you can’t? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Magomedov Law Group for your peace of mind today.
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March 2020
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