Do I Really Need a North Fort Myers Estate Planning Lawyer?
If you were to take an informal poll of the people of Fort Myers, you will find that the majority of people believe that only those with significant financial resources need estate planning services. An estate planning lawyer offers a variety of useful services to a broad range of people from all walks of life. Along with elder law issues that are important as a person ages, an estate planning lawyer can help make arrangements that would benefit almost any member of the Fort Myers community.
A Will
One of the main tools used by an estate planning lawyer is a will, and a will is something everyone should have filed with their attorney. A will is your set of instructions on what is to be done with your estate assets after you have passed away. You do not need to be wealthy with several homes to need a will. If you have any types of assets that you have special plans for, then the most reliable way to make sure your plans are followed is with a will.
Children With Special Needs
Most people do not realize that an estate planning lawyer can help parents establish guardianship for children with special needs after those parents have passed on. If you have anyone who relies on you for financial support and to look after their special needs, then you need to see an estate planning attorney about setting up guardianship arrangements after you pass away.
One of the big misconceptions people have is they think that estate planning only applies to older people. But anyone can experience a tragedy that could cut their life short and leave the future of their dependents in doubt. By getting estate planning done now, you can erase any possible feeling of unease you would have about the future of those who depend on you.
Charitable Organizations
If you do not utilize the services of an estate planning attorney, then you will pass away without any structure to your estate. The process of establishing your estate and distributing your assets will go to the state’s probate court, and the probate court will follow written rules that may not be in line with your wishes.
For example, if you would like a portion of your assets left to a charitable organization, then you need to go through estate planning. A probate court will not donate any of your assets to your favorite charity unless it has legal written instructions from you to do so. Those instructions are created during estate planning.
Any individual who has assets or has special arrangements that need to be made after they have passed away will need to use the services of an estate planning attorney. Without an estate in place, the final determination on what happens to your assets will be out of your hands.