Have you ever wondered what is the worst that can happen if you become incapacitated or pass away without an estate plan in place?
If you have, you’re not alone. This is actually a common question that I receive as a Middle Tennessee estate lawyer, especially from those in close-knit families who believe that their kids (or other loved ones) will peacefully sort everything out when they pass away without needing any additional legal documents or guardrails in place.
Failing to Plan Makes Life Harder for The People You Love
The truth of the matter is that without a plan (or even the wrong plan) you make things much harder for the people you care about, even if everything goes as smoothly as possible and everyone gets along. Managing your affairs will also become much more costly and more time-consuming than they need to be if something happens.
You May Not Like The “Default Plan” The State of Tennessee Already Has for You
Remember, you are not obligated to create an estate plan; the state of Tennessee already has a plan that your loved ones will be forced to follow in the event you do nothing. The only way to override the state’s plan is to legally create one of your own.
What If You Are Incapacitated?
If a crisis happens during your lifetime and you don’t have a plan, you run the risk of losing flexibility and you may even lose control. Even if your loved ones want to help if you become incapacitated, they could be barred from getting involved with your affairs because of HIPAA laws or other privacy policies. If that happens, all decisions about your care and your future will be made by people who don’t know you or what is important to you.
Make Planning a Priority to Protect Your Family, Your Wishes, and Your Assets
The bottom line is that an estate plan is a roadmap that’s designed to make life as easy and hassle-free as possible for yourself and your loved ones in the event of illness, incapacity, or death. It’s one of the most loving gifts you can give. If this article has caused you to rethink your current plan for your affairs, we are here to help you. Simply contact our Middle Tennessee law office at (615) 846–6201 to schedule a consultation.
