Planning for death is a morbid thought, but actually doing it is taking responsibility. Many Raleigh families decide that it is time to create their own estate plan after the loss of a loved one. Watching how difficult the process can be without an estate plan can be scary.
As an estate planning attorney, I help families navigate creating an estate plan no matter why they are ready to begin planning. Many people plan their estate with good intentions, but often their emotions overtake rationality. Emotions can get in the way of effective estate planning. Feelings can influence and interrupt the decision-making process and provide a distraction from things that truly matter.
A few common emotions that I see during the process of creating an estate plan are:
- Fear: It can be extremely scary to lose control and even the thought of losing control in the future. No matter how hard you try, it is impossible to control everything, especially if you are not there.
- Family Obligation: There are a lot of different family dynamics in every family, so not every estate plan should be the same. Were you involved in a divorce and have now remarried? Is there a relative with whom you are not very close? Is there someone outside of the family that you want to inherit something from you? Proper planning with the help of an experienced attorney like at Thornton Law Firm can help minimize the conflicts later.
- Objectivity: Be as objective as you can about writing the struggling child into your will.
- Guilt: Don’t feel like you owe anyone anything. Prioritize as much as you can. You have to be practical of just how much you can balance.
Estate planning is all about balancing your wishes and to do so successfully, you often have to put your emotions aside. Feelings can often get in the way, and they should not be present when you have to be objective. Call us at Thornton Law Firm and let us help you follow these guidelines to plan your estate.
