To die without the benefit of a Trust is to drag your family through probate. Once probate begins, the easiest probate (one backed by a well drafted Will) can take a minimum of six months. More complicated probates without the benefit of a Will can last as long as two years.
So, why don’t more Americans have Wills, Trusts or Estate Plans? The answer might lie in our fear of talking about or planning for death (ours or our loved ones). But if talking about death bothers us so much, why do it?
Having lost his father to cancer nearly fifteen years ago, a staff member shared this story. The staffer’s father, a smoker of several years, died during a surgery intended to remove the cancer. In the weeks prior (even in the face of a daunting surgery), the staffer fought all attempts made by anyone, including his father to talk about the very real possibility of his dad dying during surgery.
Our staffer confessed he never discussed the possibility of his father’s death because he felt doing so meant giving up, while not doing so meant keeping faith. Nevertheless, his father died.
The immediate family was over taken by grief. The mother shouldered most of the burden. In doing so, she informed the extended family and friends, made funeral arrangements, and provided her children a shoulder to cry on. It wasn’t until weeks after the funeral the staffer confessed to his mother, he would have preferred his father had been cremated. His mother agreed she too thought it would have been best, leaving the staffer to wonder (but never knowing), whether his father felt the same.
It might surprise many readers to learn, the majority of clients express excitement when receiving their plans. Why? Most say they are relieved knowing everything has been taken care of. They say it makes them feel as if a weight has been lifted.
But what if you don’t have an estate?
Regardless of whether or not you have an estate, which is to say regardless of whether you own properties, businesses, possessions, monies or have minor children, there are still other important questions to be answered. Such as, do you want a funeral? If so, open or closed casket? Would you like to be cremated? If you own a pet, who would you like to take care of your pet? Do you have any heirlooms, wedding bands, appliances, etc. you want given to a particular person or organization?
Whether you have a little or a lot, planning for death is beneficial. Having your house in order will not only remove a weight from your shoulders, but when the time comes, it will lessen the load on who you love most.
