Resources

Important Legal Documents

Introduction

Once you complete the Estate Wishes worksheet, you have a good idea of what you want to happen to your assets at your death and who will take care of your loved ones. However, without further action on your part, the courts will make these decisions for you and in a fashion you might not like. You need to understand some important documents, and prepare them.

To begin with, you need to prepare a will, a formal document stating how you want your estate distributed. You also need to know how to make changes to your will if necessary later on, and you need to understand what a will cannot do.

You may want to create a trust, a separate legal entity that will control the assets you place into it. You will probably want to prepare a Durable Power of Attorney, in case you become unable to take care of your financial affairs. And you may also want to draw up a Letter of Instruction, a Living Will, and a Medical Durable Power of Attorney.

SUGGESTION: Timing is everything. The only way for any of these documents to be legal is if you are of "sound mind" when you sign them (this mental ability is called "capacity"). If you wait too long to have these documents prepared, illness or injury may cause you to lose capacity. Then it is too late.

Share Article:
Add to GooglePlus
Investment and insurance products and services are offered through Osaic Institutions, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Institutions and the bank are not affiliated. Products and services made available through Osaic Institutions are not insured by the FDIC or any other agency of the United States and are not deposits or obligations of nor guaranteed or insured by any bank or bank affiliate. These products are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of value.

BrokerCheck