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Make sure your estate plan is functional

On Behalf of | Nov 18, 2023 | Estate Planning |

One of the intents of creating a thorough and thoughtfully prepared estate plan is to ensure that you get the final word over what happens to your estate after passing away. Through your individually crafted plans, you can decide what happens to your property, which heirs and beneficiaries will receive property and more. You can even decide what type of medical care you may or may not want in the event of your incapacitation. 

However, even the best of intentions may not be enough if your plan is not functional. It is important to create a plan that is workable and reasonable. This will ensure that your heirs and beneficiaries are able to carry out your instructions, and it can reduce the chance of complications with the administration of your estate. 

One should coordinate elements of estate plan 

A complete estate plan typically contains a will, as well as power of attorney, and in some cases, it may also include a trust. For many, a long-term legal and financial strategy also contains complex financial plans. These documents are all created with the best of intentions, but the term could be contradictory or difficult to carry out. It is typical to focus on the major elements of an estate plan and other important plans, but it is also important to look at the minor details of all plans to ensure they also properly line up. 

To ensure that an estate plan works well, communication is critical. This means that you will need to explain your wishes and intentions to your heirs and beneficiaries. These conversations can be uncomfortable, but they are important as they can reduce complications and disputes. It is also helpful to coordinate conversations with advisors to ensure that all plans work well together, even if different people draft them and for different purposes. 

Planning for the future 

Planning for the future is an important step for all New Jersey adults. You do not have to be wealthy or possess a large amount of valuable assets in order to benefit from the protections provided by a complete estate plan. If you are unsure of what steps you need to take to create a complete and thorough plan, you may benefit from speaking with a professional regarding what steps will be most beneficial for you. 

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