Most of us don't want to think about what might happen to our families if we were to pass away unexpectedly. But the fact is that we need to think about it. The law WILL NOT protect you unless you protect yourself first. And, the best way to protect yourself is to make an estate plan - a will, a trust or some combination of the two. If you don't make an estate plan, your assets and your property - literally everything you have worked so hard to build over the course of your entire life - will be controlled by a probate court judge. The judge won't know anything about you, your family, your values or your wishes. That's a dangerous place for your family to be. And it's ENTIRELY PREVENTABLE! Here's how to protect your family: 1. START EARLY: It's always easier to build a plan from a strong foundation. The earlier you start, the stronger your foundation. Ideally, your first estate plan should be drafted after you get married - and certainly after the birth of a child. 2. DEFINE YOUR GOALS: You need to head into an estate planning process with very clearly defined goals. What are yourContinue reading...
