How To Know If You Need Estate Planning
Video Transcript
Most adults—including anyone with children, significant assets, a business, or specific healthcare wishes—need an estate plan to control what happens if they die or become incapacitated. Without one, state law and court processes can determine who manages your finances, makes medical decisions, and receives your property. This article explains common signs you need estate planning, key documents to consider, and practical next steps to get started.
Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media
Who does, and then who doesn’t, need estate planning?
Andrew Dósa – Estate Planning Attorney – Tacoma WA and Oakland, CA
Right.
Well, the answer is probably everybody needs something, because we all have something. And if we have family and friends, or if we have children, we want to provide for our children.
If we don’t do an estate plan, the state of Washington and the state of California have an estate plan for you. They’re telling you how everybody gets to distribute their assets if there’s no will or no trust.
Now, if you trust your state government to make decisions for you, then don’t get an estate plan. But if you’d like to make the choices for yourself that you think are really wisest because of your particular situation, remember Washington and California think you’re just like everybody else. But you’re not like everybody else.
So, you want to find someone who can help you do the plan that really tailors its approach and its distribution plan to the things that you most value. What are the things you value? Find someone to help you do that.
Andrew Dósa – Estate Planning Attorney – Tacoma WA and Oakland, CA