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The majority of Americans have heard of estate planning and know that it’s an important thing to think about before tragedy strikes. However, most people underestimate the value of their estates because they do not fully understand what an estate is and what it is comprised of. An estate is comprised of everything that an individual owns: a car, home, other real estate, checking and savings accounts, investments, life insurance, personal possessions. No matter how large or how modest, everyone has an estate and something in common, these material possessions get left behind when they die. By definition an estate plan the anticipatory act of preparing for the transfer of an individual’s wealth and assets after his or her death.
The Advantages of Having an Estate Planning Attorney It is no secret that estate planning attorneys can be a costly investment. Some attorneys charge hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars for an estate plan while legal document preparation companies charge as low as four hundred dollars. However, hiring an attorney who specializes in estate planning can be advantageous for a plethora of reasons. First and foremost, and estate plan is an important legal document that will most likely effect an individual’s family for generations. With a document of this importance, it is best to trust an attorney who specializes in estate planning. Secondly, legal document preparation companies create attorney drafted legal documents that are similar to question and answer worksheets. Documents that are drafted in this fashion, are not tailored to a person’s specific situation. Though these documents are legally binding, due to their impersonal nature, there are key elements that can be missed. For example, an estate planning attorney will counsel individuals by listening to their concerns and goals for their families and future generations. A knowledgeable attorney will utilize their background in family law, community property, and real estate and taxes in estate planning meetings with their clients. Finally, at the conclusion of estate planning meetings attorneys will ask about the outcome of decisions that their clients have made to ensure that they feel prepared and empowered to provide for their families with their completed estate plan. Funding a Living Trust Upon meeting with an attorney and completing an estate plan, it’s important to begin funding the living trust. A living trust is funded when it owns something, real-estate, bank accounts, a business, or other personal property. A living trust owns something by transferring the title form the owner as an individual to the owner trustee of his living trust. Making Estate Plans Bulletproof Estate planning is an important tool in protecting an individual and their spouse in retirement and in leaving a legacy for an individual’s heirs. It would be a lengthy process to come up with an exhaustive list of the ways to make an estate plan as invulnerable as possible. Instead, listed below are common mistakes that people make when they construct their estate plans:
What is a durable power of attorney, and why is it important to have one? If you need a durable power of attorney, or would like to speak to an estate planning attorney, Adkins Law can help you. Contact Adkins Law to arrange a free estate planning consultation. Adkins Law has locations in Huntersville and Ballantyne. WHAT IS A HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY? In North Carolina, a healthcare power of attorney works in conjunction with a living will. This is the document that specifies your health care agent, which is the person who will make medical decisions for you in the event of your incapacitation. Your health care agent needs to be someone close to you who you can trust. An estate planning lawyer can help you appoint a health care agent. WHO CAN BE MY HEALTH CARE AGENT? Most people choose their spouse, partner, relative, or close friend as their health care agent. North Carolina requires that your health care agent be (i) at least 18 years of age, and (ii) not being compensated for providing you health care. An estate planning lawyer can help you determine who will qualify as your health care agent. WHAT IF I APPOINTED MY FORMER SPOUSE AS MY HEALTH CARE AGENT? In North Carolina, if the principal appoints his or her spouse as their agent, such spouse's authority to act as agent is revoked upon the entry by a court of a decree of divorce or separation. N.C.G.S. 32A-20(c). Speak to an estate planning lawyer at Adkins Law if you have questions concerning health care powers of attorney. Adkins Law is located in Huntersville, NC and primarily serves Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Gaston County, Iredell County, Cabarrus County, and the Lake Norman area. |
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