We all have things that are perpetually on our “to-do” list, and certain items always seem to get pushed to the backburner. For many people, estate planning is one of them. Well, what better time than now to create an estate plan? During this time of social distancing and self-quarantining, let us help check this item off your list!
If you already have an estate plan and appropriate documents, now is a great time to review and ensure the plan is current. As families change and children grow, you should evaluate whether what you initially set up is relevant to what has changed over the years.
- Are asset distributions set up appropriately?
- Do your beneficiaries need updating?
- How is your real estate titled?
And especially important in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic, be sure your powers of attorney and health care directives are correct and reflect your current wishes. You should work with a trusted estate planning attorney for any questions or updates.
If you don’t have an estate plan in place, now is as good of a time as any to create a plan. Your first step should be to hire an estate planning lawyer. Just as you would hire an accountant to complete your taxes, working with a professional to draft and execute your estate plan is a must.
Your attorney will educate and advise you on the basic estate plan documents. There are three (potentially four) major documents that should be drafted:
(1) Last Will and Testament
(2) Power of Attorney
(3) Advance Medical Directive
(4) Revocable Living Trust
These are the basic foundation of a well thought out estate plan to ensure your wishes are carried out.
Rest assured, we at Smith Barid, are fully operational and working remotely during this difficult time. Thanks to technology, phone, and web-based meetings are available. We are also using all available options to get documents signed and notarized from the safety of your home – including virtual signing and notarizing when needed!
Please reach out to us to schedule an initial consultation and begin the process of creating your estate plan. We are located in Savannah, GA, and are happy to serve Savannah and the surrounding areas. Please contact us today and let us know how we can help you check this item off your to-do list.