• 01
  • July
    2011

When rich or famous people die, one of things the public often hears is how many fights and frustrations there are with the estate administration. Contested wills seem to be a rite of passage for dead celebrities, and many of us may catch ourselves being grateful that those events will never happen in our families.

In reality, contested wills are not just limited to rich, upper class millionaires. Anytime there are assets that need to be divided and distributed in Cape Coral, there may be fighting between family members. Thankfully, with effective estate planning, some of that can be prevented.

Although there is no amount of planning that could eliminate every fight, there is a lot you can do to help minimize fighting between your loved ones. A durable power of attorney can be used to appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf. After you name a loved one to make decisions if you become incapacitated, it may be beneficial to talk with your family members about your choice. Eliminating surprises can eliminate stress or jealously later on.

In general, the goal of estate planning is to make matters less expensive and more orderly. Anything you can prepare ahead of time can help reduce fighting and expenses for loved ones may face after your death.

Sadly, many people procrastinate their estate planning for as long as possible. People think they'll be able to put together a good plan "next month" or "next year." Although it can be frightening to think about debilitating injuries or death, the reality is that one or the other happens to everyone eventually, often when it is least expected. The more you take care of ahead of time, the less your family will need to do when you are no longer around to help.

Source: Observer & Eccentric, "Plan ahead to eliminate family infighting," 30 June 2011