Estate
planning is essential for people who have at least $100,000 worth of
assets. This helps to avoid problems that could arise once you meet
your untimely demise. Leaving a will is the most
common estate planning tool,
which essentially means that you leave specific instructions that
must be followed upon your passing. This can include how and where
you will be buried, who are your heirs and beneficiaries, and how
your assets will be distributed among the heirs and beneficiaries.
Your
will shall be carried out by an executor you have appointed who, in
turn, can seek the help of a qualified probate attorney to fulfill
your last wishes. A will's executor can work with a probate attorney
in two ways: (1) full representation, and (2) hire as coach.
In
full representation, an executor lets a lawyer take the
responsibility of seeing that the probate process is going smoothly.
The lawyer shall take charge of gathering and filing the necessary
paperwork with various government agencies and the probate court in
order to settle estate obligations and distribute its assets.
Meanwhile, hiring a lawyer to coach would mean that your executor
will personally take care of all the tasks needed to execute your
will, and will only employ the services of a probate attorney when
problems arise.
Seeking
a lawyer to help you in estate planning will prevent problems from
arising once probate starts. This will also help your executor
fulfill your wishes in the smoothest way possible.