A will is chock-full of intensely private information. You’ll discuss all of your wishes in it, including who should oversee your finances, which assets you will pass on to whom and what to do if you should need life support at some point.

But the reason for writing these preferences is so that others will know them when the time comes. So, doesn’t it make sense to share the details of your will before you’re gone?

Wills are a matter of public record

The reason so many people enjoy the calendar flipping over to a new year is because it is a chance to try new things and make your life better for the coming year. It is also a time to do the things you have been planning to do for a while now and never got to. One of those items should be to get your estate planning started. 

Estate planning is for everyone

Estate planning is easy to put off because many believe it is only for when you die, and they hope that is a long time from now. Other people put off estate planning because they think it is only for famous people or the extremely rich. The fact is, there is something in estate planning for everybody. Estate planning can include a will, a living will, health care directives, power of attorney, trust, instructions for your funeral and who you want as a guardian for your children.

Are you confused with the term power of attorney? Did you know there are even different types of powers of attorney? The good news is there is nothing too difficult to understand or comprehend when it comes to what a power of attorney does.

A power of attorney is when you appoint another person known as an “attorney-in-fact” or “agent” to have legal authority to be in control of your affairs if you happen to become incapacitated. The person who appoints the agent is called the “principal.” The principal can decide on how much powers the agent will have. An agent may only be given the authority to make a decision on just one issue or they can handle a wide range of the principal’s financial or health matters.

Non-durable power of attorney

When planning your estate’s future, you might require assistance to ensure the longevity of your property. You can hire different people who specialize in aspects of estate planning you may have difficulty understanding. You could hire financial advisers to aid you in planning investments or estate planning attorneys to help you any legal issues within your will.

An important role to consider when assembling your team is a certified public accountant (CPA). These detail-oriented workers can use their financial insight to prepare your estate for a wide assortment of events that could happen in your lifetime. Here are a few areas they can help you in:

They help you with taxes.

How should wealth be distributed among family? Which is the best path to take? It is a simple question with a complicated answer.

Do you know the difference between wills and trusts? Do you know whether you need one or the other, or both?

What is a will?