What IS an Estate Plan?

Great question.  An estate plan is really just a term used to describe a coordinated collection of legal documents designed to prepare you and your family for your incapacity or death - and to make those events more manageable and less expensive. These legal instruments are designed to implement your wishes and intentions regarding the handling of your affairs when you are unable to do so directly, whether that be due to incapacity or death.

Do I Need an Estate Plan?

Yes. Ideally, every adult would have an estate plan in place. An estate plan is so much more that just picking who gets your stuff when you die. A comprehensive estate plan will ensure you have the legal documents in place to manage any number of possible contingencies that may occur over the course of your lifetime. Who can step in to manage your financial affairs should you be unable? To access your accounts to ensure that the your mortgage and the bills get paid? Who will take over as guardian for your children should the worst happen? Who do you want to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you cannot? A comprehensive estate plan allows you to know the answer and have a plan in place to address each of these issues, should they arise.