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Misconceptions about wills and estate planning can cause problems

On Behalf of | May 14, 2019 | Firm News, Wills |

Estate planning is a smart way to plan for the future, but many in Georgia misunderstand various aspects of this process. Wills, trusts and other estate planning documents can allow a person to plan for his or her own health care in the future, as well as decide how to divide and distribute assets. It is also possible to outline plans for charitable giving, the care of a special needs loved one and much more. 

One of the most common misconceptions that people believe about the estate planning process is that it is something only necessary for the rich. In reality, people of all income levels can benefit from this type of protection and planning. People also often mistakenly believe that they do not need to do anything after their will is drafted. In reality, it’s smart to regularly review and update estate plans after life changes, changes in tax laws and other circumstances. 

People also underestimate the need to update beneficiary forms for insurance, retirement savings and other types of accounts. No matter what a person’s will says, updating these forms is also necessary. When a person believes common lies about estate planning, it can lead to costly complications and issues in the future.

Estate planning is an important step for every adult in Georgia, and it’s smart for a person to be certain he or she has all the coverage and protection he or she needs. When drafting wills and other documents, it’s helpful to work with an experienced attorney. Because of the importance of this process, it’s smart to have experienced legal guidance from the very initial steps.