Preventable problems can derail your estate planning efforts

by | Jan 12, 2020 | Uncategorized

Making plans for the future is not always easy. It can be complicated to determine what should happen to certain assets and what you want to happen with your medical care down the road. However, every person, regardless of age and wealth status, would benefit from having certain plans in place.

If you have taken the time to draft a plan and have certain documents ready, you may feel confident about your future. It is worthwhile to make sure that your plans are accurate and up-to-date, as various problems could lead to complications down the road. Where there are errors and issues with an estate plan, heirs and beneficiaries could face complications when it is time to settle your estate.

What mistakes should you look for?

In many cases, people are completely unaware that there are problems with an estate plan until it is time to implement the plans. This is why it can be extremely beneficial to go over the terms of any document you have and plan you’ve made to ensure that any of the following common mistakes do not derail your plans:

  • One common mistake people make is failing to update a will after major life changes. A divorce, death in the family, remarriage or birth of new children could necessitate changes in an estate plan.
  • Sometimes, a person may neglect to include provisions in his or her estate plan that outline what will happen in the event that the person experiences a disability at some point in the future.
  • People may make the mistake of naming the wrong person as the executor of his or her estate. This is an important job, and a person should carefully consider who would best serve in this role.

The biggest mistake people make regarding estate planning is failing to have a plan in the first place. No matter how young a person is, what he or she earns, or the size of the estate, it is always prudent to have the legal protections necessary to ensure you get the final say over what happens to your property.

Where should you start?

Whether you need to adjust existing estate plans or you need to start from scratch, it will be helpful to first speak with an experienced Texas attorney regarding your options. An assessment of your case can help you see what estate planning tools and steps are necessary for your full protection.