With Proper Estate Planning Massachusetts Residents Can Die Peacefully

By Karen Turner


For most people it is difficult to contemplate death, especially their own. Unfortunately, however, everybody will die and the responsible thing to do is to plan for that event. Almost everyone leaves behind possessions, assets and money and it is important to make sure that these belongings will be distributed to those that the deceased intended to have them. With proper estate planning Massachusetts and Dedham MA citizens can make sure that their affairs will be in order when they finally die.

It is astonishing to learn just how many people pass away without leaving a valid and updated last will and testament. Many people feel that they own too little and others simply fail to update their wills as their circumstances change. This is a serious neglect because those left behind may suffer financially and the probate period will be much longer.

The laws governing probate, death duties and the distribution of assets after death are complex. It is important to have a formal plan that aims to make sure that the last wishes of the deceased will be honoured as quickly and as efficiently as possible. This require expert help. Many attorneys and financial experts are highly qualified and experienced in this field.

A properly planned last will and testament will also make provision for circumstances where the principal does not actually die, but become incompetent to make rational decisions. This happens more often than people realize. The will must make provision for the care of someone in a coma, with a severe disability or even a debilitating mental condition and an administrator must be appointed to make sure that the wishes contained in the will are carried out.

For most bread winners the biggest priority is to make sure that their loved ones will not suffer after their deaths. To this end their plans must make provision for maintaining their loved ones until probate is finalized. This can be done by setting up a trust or by earmarking funds to maintain the family until they are able to take possession of their inheritance.

Some people use their last wills and testaments to settle old scores or to punish relatives. This should never be the purpose of a will and such documents are often contested in court. Of course, if a loved one is known to be irresponsible with money or that he can reasonably be expected to waste the inheritance, measures can be put in place to prevent abuse.

One of the main reasons why wills are contested in court is that far too many people do not discuss their last wishes and the content of their wills with their loved ones. It is important that all the main clauses of a will is know to those that will be affected by them. If there are objections then they can be managed and even subjected to legal tests while the principal is still alive.

The vast majority of people spend years to build up their estates and to make sure that loved ones will be secure. Without a sound plan, however, even the best intentions may not result in the desired consequences. It is best to obtain professional help from an early age and to make sure that the legacy left behind will achieve the desired results.




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