Estate Planning
Planning for your future is an important part of growing older. Many people of all ages are now planning for their retirement, the possibility that they could become disabled or incapacitated, and even their death. Estate planning is a way to address these concerns. Estate planning may involve wills, living wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, life insurance, investments, retirement plans, gifts, joint tenancy property ownership, and other estate planning devices depending upon the complexity of your estate.
In this section, we will address some of the more common estate planning tools. We will also discuss probate, guardianship and conservatorship, and pre-planned funeral arrangements. Many of the estate planning tools described here can be created inexpensively by an attorney. As with any service, prices may vary from one lawyer to the next and therefore, shopping around for a good price from a knowledgeable lawyer is advisable. For assistance in finding a lawyer, contact the State Bar Association at 1-800-952-2333.
There are many decisions to be made as we grow older. Making our own decisions and plans now may help assure that our wishes are carried out in the future.