Mount Vernon Estate Planning

Find the right Wills & Trusts attorney in Mount Vernon, WA

If you are making decisions in Mount Vernon about what to do with everything you own after your death, and your other affairs that should be wrapped up at that time, you are in the process of "estate planning."

Estate planning usually requires professional legal and financial advice, because of the complexity and importance of the issues involved. A poorly-executed estate plan can often end with survivors suing each other, and prevent your intentions from being effectuated.

In addition to deciding what to do with your assets after your death, your estate plan should also contain things that might become relevant during life. Power of attorney is a big one. Power of attorney is an arrangement in which you provide another person the ability to make decisions for you, if you become incapacitated. Also, effective estate planning can help reduce the effect of taxes and court fees on your final disposition to your chosen beneficiaries.

If you want to maximize the odds that your wishes will be followed after your death, you should do everything you can to make them legally binding. While this is not always possible, a Mount Vernon attorney will be able to make sure that, where it is feasible, it is done.

Common Features of Mount Vernon Estates

Will: This is the centerpiece of most estate plans. A will is a document written by a person (the "testator"), usually with the help of a lawyer, which says what is to be done with their property after they die. Most provisions in a will are legally binding, to the extent that ownership of the property legally passes to the named beneficiary. Nonetheless, a will cannot compel a person to do anything against their wishes (though it can certainly state your preferences on the matter, phrasing them as requests).

Living Will: This is a document which lays out instructions for your medical care, should you become so sick or badly injured that you are unable to express your wishes. It should state under what circumstances you want to remain on life support. A well-drafted living will can prevent you from being kept alive in a permanent vegetative state (if that is not what you want), while guaranteeing that you receive medical care as long as you have a chance at recovery.

Power of Attorney: Power of attorney is the right to make binding decisions for another person, when that person becomes unable to make or express their own decisions. You can grant power of attorney to anyone you want, but, for obvious reasons, you should only grant it to somebody you trust, and discuss your exact wishes with them, in case they actually have to make a decision for you.

Funeral Arrangements: What do you want done with your body after you die? Do you want to be cremated? How about buried? Or maybe you want to be cremated, and have your remains shot into space? Whatever your preference, you won't exactly be able to tell anyone when the time comes. Therefore, you should make your desires on this matter known well in advance. You also shouldn't make your will the only place where these instructions are included, since it might not be read for weeks after your death, when it will likely be too late.

Do I Need a Mount Vernon Estates Lawyer?

A poorly drafted or executed Mount Vernon estate plan can have major negative consequences. For instance, it might be confusing to the people who are most directly affected by it. This confusion can often lead to costly litigation. For that reason, the advice of an experienced estate planning attorney can be invaluable.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, Washington is located on the Skasgit River and houses a population of just under 26,000. Although creating a beautiful backdrop, the River has also caused some flooding issues for Mount Vernon in recent times-- a problem the city now has under control.

Because of its strategic location near Pudget Sound and other desirable attributes, Mount Vernon was rated the Best Small City in America. Mount Vernon owes much of its growth to the early mining, farming, and logging communities that developed near the city.

Mount Vernon is also home to a thriving professional community with doctors, lawyers, and accountants available to serve the Mount Vernon's population needs. Mount Vernon lawyers specialize in family law, contract, law, employment issues, wills and trusts to name a few and are some of the best in the business. Whether staying or just visiting, there are so many aspects of Mount Vernon that make this city lovely.

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