The Ultimate Estate Planning Checklist

If you are beginning the estate planning process, we have compiled a checklist for you and your attorney to create a comprehensive estate plan. Continue reading to discover the ultimate checklist for estate planning to ensure you cover the most important documents. For assistance with this process, give our Des Moines estate planning lawyer a call today.

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Wills: One of the first documents you will likely draft with your attorney as you begin the estate planning process is a will. Drafting a will allows you to outline and plan what you wish to happen to your assets when you pass. You will also be able to appoint an executor of your will. Your executor will be in charge of ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes. You can also establish beneficiaries who will receive those assets. Without a will, you may set your family up for legal trouble down the road.

Trusts: Drafting a trust assists your beneficiaries in maximizing their inheritance by allowing them to move through the probate process seamlessly.

Powers of Attorney: A power of attorney appoints an individual to make key life decisions on your behalf if you were to become incapacitated or otherwise unable to make important decisions on your own. A financial power of attorney gives a trusted individual the ability to assist you in making critical financial decisions on your behalf. A healthcare power of attorney gives a trusted individual the ability to make critical medical decisions on your behalf.

Guardianships: It is beneficial for any parent of minor children to create guardianships as a part of their estate planning process. A guardianship allows parents to appoint trusted individuals to raise their children if they were to become unable to do so themselves. If a parent does not appoint a guardian, the courts will have the power to decide who raises the children if the parents become unable to raise them on their own.

To get started with the estate planning process, it is important to retain the service of an experienced estate planning lawyer who will walk you through the process of drafting each of these important documents. Our legal team at Herting Law, PLLC understands the stress that can be put on an individual to create a comprehensive estate plan. We will ensure each box is checked off your checklist to create an estate plan that meets your wishes.

The Ultimate Estate Planning Checklist

The Ultimate Estate Planning Checklist

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