ESSENTIAL ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS

As a recent poll shows, the majority of Americans do not have a basic Will. While it is more likely that an individual over the age of 60 has a Will, many young families do not even have a simple estate plan in place. The following are common documents that should be included in any estate plan. 

• A Basic Will. A Will makes sure your assets and properties are passed on according to your wishes and allows an individual with children to name Guardians. In Illinois, a Will is a public document that is commonly filed with the Clerk of Court of the decedent's county of residence. If an individual does not have a Will, the laws of the state will control distribution. To help avoid court proceedings known as probate, you may also consider a Declaration of Trust which is a private document and does not need to be filed with the Court.
• A Durable Power of Attorney (POA). This document names a person as "agent" to act on your behalf in case of disability. The document typically covers financial matters (e.g., banking, bill paying, etc.) and can be broadly drafted or be quite limited.
• A Health Care Power of Attorney. The health care POA designates an individual to make important health care decisions on your behalf, when you are unable, due to a temporary or permanent disability. Individuals may also consider creating a Living Will which specifically directs end-of-life instructions.
• Beneficiary Designations. You should make sure appropriate beneficiaries are listed for all of your retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k) and life insurance policies. These assets go directly to named beneficiaries. If you do not have named beneficiaries, the assets will generally be distributed through your estate. Check older plans that may still name parents or ex-spouses that you may wish to update. (NOTE: When naming a minor, a guardianship proceeding may be required if the minor inherits.)

An estate plan is much more than simply dividing your assets after death. As you encounter changes in family and finances, these documents can modified. It is important to discuss these matters with your loved ones, and an attorney can help answer questions that you may have as well as advise you on the best plan for your situation. Creating an initial estate plan can be an emotional process, yet the peace of mind in knowing that you have a plan in place can be reassuring.

If you have any questions about preparing an estate planning, please feel free to contact Glick and Trostin, LLC at 312-346-8258.

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