How to Avoid Estate Planning Mistakes

Earlier this year, we published a post entitled “Avoid these Mistakes with the Help of an Estate Planning Attorney.” The common mistakes we discussed are as follows:

• Overlooking important estate planning documents.
• Leaving too much gray area.
• Ignoring estate planning documents that are necessarily while you are living.

In this piece, we aren’t going touch on common mistakes. Instead, we are going to focus on the steps you can take to avoid these mistakes altogether. After all, it is better to never think twice about making a mistake.

Here are three tips that will allow you to avoid all estate planning mistakes, including those detailed above, as well as many others:

1. Know what you are trying to accomplish. Many mistakes are a result of not knowing what you want to accomplish or how you are going to reach your goals. Before you do anything, take an overview of your situation and make a list of your short and long term goals. This will come in handy as you move forward.

2. Consult with an attorney. Our goal is simple: to help you with all your estate planning needs, no matter what they may be. When you contact our law firm, you can leave the thought of making mistakes in the past. It is easy to be confident in the decisions you are making.

3. Check back often. Just because you avoid common mistakes upfront doesn’t mean this will hold true in the future. As you know, your situation can and will change over time. Do you need to change your beneficiary because a loved one passed away or you went through a divorce? Do you need to make changes to an important estate planning document, such as a living will? Review your estate plan once a year to ensure that it is exactly what you want it to be.

If you know how to avoid estate planning mistakes you never have to concern yourself with one or more of these causing stress for you and/or a loved one.

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Stephanie Thompson, Estate Planning Attorney of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC

As the owner of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC, it is Stephanie’s mission to address each client’s goals for their estate plan. By identifying their wishes and concerns she can educate, guide, and counsel on the different tools and options that will effectively and efficiently accomplish those goals.

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