Fort Myers’ Residents Seeking Streamlined Estate Planning Ideas
Locally, Fort Myers and Lee County residents maintain some of the most dynamic and active lifestyles in the country. From schooling to working to enjoying retirement and all the family, friends and activities in between, Floridians have little spare time. As a result, they often eschew things like proper estate planning.
Despite this blog’s crusade to simplify the process and encourage locals to engage in estate planning, many people still consider it too time-consuming. Given all the variables when it comes to assets, family situation and prospective heirs, many people wonder how all of their estate planning needs can be broken down in a simple form.
If the often described yet little understood difference between wills and trusts is keeping you away, it may be more prudent for you to consider the bare necessities. A recent article describes the three basic estate planning documents that everyone needs, which are a will, a financial power of attorney and a healthcare power of attorney.
While the extent of these documents can be as narrow and specific as you want, these documents in their most basic forms are easy to understand and easier for you to create.
The will, of course, directs your assets to loved ones at your death. While it can contain a myriad of terms, it can also simply ensure everything passes to your spouse. A financial POA allows a trusted individual to make financial decisions for you. For instance, the POA will allow another to pay bills if you become unable to do so. A healthcare POA, meanwhile, gives another person of your choosing the power to make decisions with your healthcare professionals.
To be blunt, the absence of these simple documents can result in chaos for family members when one gets ill and passes away. Just a short consultation and review of standard documents can eliminate this contingency and start you on the path towards complete peace of mind.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, “Three estate planning documents everyone needs,” Manisha Thokor, Jan. 13, 2015
