One of the best gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones this holiday season is estate planning. Here are five reasons why:

Peace of Mind for You

You give yourself peace of mind by knowing that your legal affairs are in order. Your Powers of Attorney will allow your agents to make decisions for you and help you with your finances if you become bedridden or develop dementia. Your Living Will tells your doctor and family what your end-of-life wishes are. Your Trust and Last Will and Testament state who will inherit your assets and serve as your fiduciary after you pass away.

You Are in Control

Do you want to pay for your niece's college expenses? Leave your residence to your brother? Disinherit someone? Control your assets from the grave? You can make sure your goals and wishes are carried out with a proper Trust, Last Will and Testament, beneficiary designations, etc.

Less Work for Your Family

You give your family less work to do if you have a comprehensive estate plan in place before something happens to you. Without a Living Will, Powers of Attorney, Will, etc., your family may have to guess what your wishes are, and they will most likely have to go through Probate Court to help you and/or transfer your assets.

No Probate Court Involvement

Most people with good Powers of Attorney can avoid a guardianship through Probate Court if they become unable to handle their own affairs. You can also avoid Probate Court after your death if you title your assets into a Trust or employ other probate-avoidance techniques.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

The estate plans that I create for my clients have no expiration dates and can be used for many years. Completing your estate plan is truly a gift that keeps on giving!