4 Reasons to Have a Lawyer Review Your Will and Estate Plans

Estate planning and drafting a will are things that people tend to put off for far too long. After all, nobody likes to think about what will happen when they die, yet that’s something that will happen to everyone. You need to ensure that your final wishes are honored, and the best way to do that is to have your will and estate plans in place.

Of course, it’s not enough to simply write out your estate plans. They need to be reviewed thoroughly, preferably with the assistance of a qualified lawyer. Here are just four reasons why regular reviews are necessary.

1. Completing All the Necessary Paperwork

Estate planning requires a lot of paperwork, and it’s easy for things to be misinterpreted later on. Working with a lawyer to ensure that everything in your will is as clear-cut as possible, with none of the ambiguity that could cause friction with your surviving family members. Have your lawyer work closely with you to draft your will and plan your estate, and be prepared to review everything with them at least once every three to five years or after a major life event.

2. Navigating Changes

The biggest reason why your will and estate plans need to be reviewed and updated is that things will change throughout your life. Your family might grow as relatives get married and have children, family members will pass away, and relationships with your loved ones will change. Your financial situation will likely change in ways that you can’t predict, and your plans need to change to reflect that. Reviewing and updating your plans with a lawyer will help you stay on top of most of those changes.

3. Keeping Your Family Satisfied

Disputes over wills and estate plans can get ugly fast, even if you’re still in the planning process. While it’s important to check in with members of your family to make sure that they’re happy with how your affairs will be handled when you pass on, having a lawyer review everything will certainly help things. Again, a lawyer can help you with the wording of your will and estate plans to remove all ambiguity in case there is a dispute.

4. Ensuring that Your Final Wishes Are Honored

A big part of your last will and testament should concern your final wishes. This includes things such as funeral rites and what should be done with your remains, but it should also include what you wish to happen at the end of your life. For example, you may wish to have a “Do Not Resuscitate” order in your medical records if you suffer a serious accident or illness. This should be included in your will with zero ambiguity. It is a difficult thing to think about, but you need to have every eventuality covered.

Estate planning is never easy, but it is important. While all the major decisions should ultimately be left up to you, having a lawyer with estate planning experience review your affairs will be helpful. Include your lawyer in the planning process, and don’t forget to review your plans every few years.