In Plainfield, Connecticut, "estate planning" refers to the process by which a person makes arrangements related to their property after their death. It can (and should) also include personal issues that might come up immediately before and after a person's death.

Usually, the first thing a person thinks about when they think about estate planning is a will. A will dictates what occurs to a person's property after they die. In general, you can leave your property to whomever you want, and attach almost any condition to such gifts. In the vast majority of estate plans, a will is the central component. It is rarely the only one, however.

A clear estate plan will also contain instructions to your doctors about your preferences for end of life care, in case you become unable to express them. This is identified as a "living will." It should also include instructions about funeral arrangements and organ donation.

Perhaps most notably, your estate plan should make arrangements for the care and custody of your minor children, if you have any. Of course, you should discuss this matter with the person you intend to take custody of the children beforehand, to ensure that they are able and willing to provide proper care.

What Type of Estate Plan Do I Need in Plainfield, Connecticut?

This typically depends on your individual goals and priorities, your age, health, and the nature and quantity of your assets.

For example, if you're unmarried, and in your early 20's, estate planning is probably not the most important thing in your life. However, if you're seriously ill, and/or unusually wealthy, estate planning might be a priority for you.

Individuals who are, for varied possible reasons, unwilling or unable to get married, but are in committed, lifelong relationships, are perhaps most in need of a good Plainfield, Connecticut estate plan. Because couples who aren't married don't automatically get any of the legal rights (such as hospital visitation, inheritance rights, and power of attorney) that come with marriage, they have to secure these rights through other means, such as wills and power of attorney agreements.

Other groups for whom estate planning is very important in Plainfield, Connecticut are people who are elderly and/or have a lot of assets. This may be the time in one's life where estate planning is most important. While it's true that the process of making an estate plan requires a person to deal directly with the reality of their own mortality, it is very important if you value the security that comes with the knowledge that your family will be provided for.

Do I Need a Plainfield, Connecticut Estate Planning Attorney?

Because estate planning in Plainfield, Connecticut can involve some complicated legal and financial issues, it is necessary to undertake this task with the guidance of an experienced attorney who specializes in estate planning.