Why You Need to Avoid Last Minute Estate Planning

Most people want to put off any conversations or tasks related to their own immortality or potential incapacity. While this is a natural response for plenty of people, it’s a dangerous one that could leave you or your loved ones at risk of facing unnecessary challenges. Last minute estate planning puts you and your loved ones in a difficult situation.

Proper planning requires time and thorough review of all of the assets, your family situation, your current tax implications, your method of holding property, and many other contingencies that could arise. The most difficult aspect of any comprehensive estate planning process is an analysis of the assets and the needs of the person creating the plan. This is impossible with last minute planning.

There are also many other dangers present with the process of last-minute estate planning, including:

• Potential problems with undue influence.
• Claims lodged after the fact that the deceased person was not in their right mind at the time they made these documents.
• Concerns over the emotional condition of the testator as it can be emotionally draining in addition to facing medication and illness related complications.
• Finally, family dynamics become that much more complex when a testator is under pressure to do last minute estate planning.

Schedule a consultation today with an experienced estate planning lawyer to learn more about how you can avoid these challenges. At our MA estate planning office, you’ll work with a lawyer to create a plan in line with your personal goals.

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.

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 →

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.