It is officially spring, time to awaken from our unusually long COVID winter hibernation/nightmare, just in time for annual spring cleaning, the perfect opportunity to get your affairs in order.
Organizing your paperwork may seem like a daunting task, but the resulting relief and satisfaction are worthwhile from both a psychological and emotional standpoint.
An aversion to lawyers and legal documents, or even a case of papyrophobia may leave you paralyzed. Perhaps a serious paperectomy is in order. If you cannot muster the organizational energy to sort your piles of paper, consider hiring someone or seeking the help of a professional, friend, or relative. You will find it worth the effort and expense. Do not wait for a wake-up call – you may not get one.
While you are going through your paper, and if you have already done your estate planning, ask yourself these four important questions:
- Do you know where your original estate planning documents are (hint: Matlin Law Group does not keep original documents!)?
- Do key people have access to your original documents in case they are needed?
- Are your assets properly structured (ownership and beneficiary designations) so as to avoid probate and/or take advantage of potential tax saving?
- Has your estate plan been reviewed within the last 5 years?
- Have there been significant changes to you and/or your family since you signed your documents?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, you are a candidate for an estate planning review. Please click here to request an estate planning consultation via Matlin Law Group’s website or feel free to give us a call at 1-847-770-6600.
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