Estate planning is not just about you. It’s easy to put this on the backburner and forget about it as an important activity when you’re only thinking about an estate that you believe is relatively small or simple, but the truth is that estate planning is about so much more.Estate planning concept with father parent support children's hands growing tree with wealthy gold coins

It’s about the legacy you leave behind to your loved ones and even with simple estates, you can do a lot of upfront work that makes it easier for your family members to navigate this process.

Make Sure Your Estate Plan Reduces Family Stress

Speak to anyone who has lost a loved one where no estate planning was done and ask about what happened. Most people have interacted with at least one colleague, friend or family member who’s been through this situation. This can cause dissension in the family, frustration, unnecessary delays and confusion. Whoever ends up appointed as the executor (personal representative) in these situations may have a long road ahead of them and certain family members may not be protected if no estate plan was put in place.

For example, imagine someone who passes away with only their name on the deed to a piece of real estate and no will. This means that the home could potentially become part of the probate estate divided among all of surviving family members based on intestate succession.

Contact a Boston Estate Planning Firm

Talk to an experienced and qualified estate planning lawyer in your area to learn more about how you can make things easier for your loved ones.

 

 


Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a qualified attorney.

Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP

About Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP

Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP is the CEO and Founding Partner of O'Connell Law, an estate planning and elder law firm serving clients across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. She is one of a select group of attorneys in Massachusetts certified by the National Elder Law Foundation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA). Tiffany focuses her practice on estate planning, trust and probate administration, Medicaid planning, long-term care planning, Alzheimer's planning, charitable planning, and retirement and wealth strategies. She has been helping families plan for their futures since opening her practice in 2010.

Credentials: JD, LLM, CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney — National Elder Law Foundation), AEP (Accredited Estate Planner)

Licensed in: Massachusetts

Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Alzheimer's Planning, Asset Protection

View all posts by Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP →

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