Careful estate planning

Florida residents usually want to do the right thing when it comes to planning their estates. They want to make sure that all that they have worked for over the years is distributed to heirs fairly. They also want to ensure that medical and end-of-life decisions are respected. In many cases, the best way to ensure that these wishes are respected is through careful planning.

Some people believe that having a will is sufficient by itself. While it is true that wills are an important part of an estate plan, they have a limited scope. Wills address the distribution of assets after the testator has died. But there are other things that must be considered when people are making plans for when they are no longer able to speak for themselves.

Many people benefit from preparing additional documents, such as a living will and a medical power of attorney. Other helpful documents include a list of insurance policies and financial accounts, usernames and passwords for online accounts, and contact information for the estate planner’s family, executor and business partner or partners. Because much of this information is of a sensitive nature, it should only be provided to someone who can be counted on to keep it secure and confidential.

It is also important to maintain and periodically update all estate planning documents. This includes updating beneficiaries named in a will, insurance policies and retirement accounts. It may also include updating address and contact information for heirs and beneficiaries. Many people may find that speaking with an experienced attorney can be helpful in this regard.