It’s unfortunate that more people don’t do their estate planning at the law office of Raoul J. LeClerc in Chico, CA or with another lawyer. When people don’t take the time to get their estates in order, there can be some rather serious consequences. There are times when people do take the time to plan their estates but don’t update things. If a person makes a will and lets years go by without updating it, there might be some problems when the will has to be executed. What if heirs have died? What if a person gets divorced? People can’t forget to update their wills.
Doing one’s estate planning at the law office of Raoul J. LeClerc in Chico, CA or with another lawyer isn’t all about drafting wills. Although wills are strong to have, they won’t help people avoid probate. Many people don’t know just how costly and time-consuming probate can be. There are some who are aware of the disadvantages of probate and choose to use trusts to avoid the process. Individuals can also use gifts to avoid having to deal with probate. Using lawyers to help structure gifts is one way that people can avoid tax burdens. Since laws governing estates can change anytime, people have to keep in contact with their lawyers for the best results.
Lawyers can also help with living wills. What happens when a person is no longer able to give informed consent about medical procedures? Things might be done to them that they really don’t want to happen. People who they don’t want making decisions for them might be the ones calling the shots. It’s understandable that people don’t want to think about bad things happening to them, but they have to be prepared anyhow. Also, if a person doesn’t have a living will, it can create conflict among family members. Two people with opposite views might both claim they are trying to do what the incapacitated person truly wants.
Sure, there are websites where people can draft of legal documents themselves, but why risk it? It’s just easier to visit the website of a lawyer and arrange for a face-to-face meeting to make sure that things get done the right way.
