You may assume that you don’t need a will or that your future involving estate planning is far off or simply unnecessary because you don’t have enough assets, but far too few adults in the United States have a will in comparison with the number of people who should.

Dying without a will can pose significant problems for your loved ones in the future. Few individuals who have passed away without a will or a living trust can leave behind a high price for their family members. Local and state laws will determine who will inherit and manage a deceased individual’s property if it is not transferred by law or right beneficiary designation.

Those family members who are eligible to inherit a decedent’s state intestate will have to spend a great deal of time and money proving their relationship to the person who passed away or establishing trusts or guardianships for disabled or minor beneficiaries.

Relatives that you may wish not to inherit your assets or disabled heirs who may compromise their eligibility to get SSI or Medicaid benefits could also face additional challenges simply by not having a will in place. Consult with an experienced estate planning attorney today to learn how to avoid these problems.

 

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

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