Flangas McMillan Law Group - Attorneys At Law

DO I NEED A WILL

(12/07/2011) Michelle Di Silvestro Alanis, Esq.

As a newlywed, I found myself thinking about whether or not my husband and I would need an estate plan immediately. Although we intend to have a family in the near future, we do not have any children at this time. In addition, although we have some assets, we are not as established as a couple in their 40's or 50's. We are both healthy so we do not foresee that either one of us will be sick or hospitalized. So, based on these factors, it would seem that we do not need an estate plan right now.

However, nothing could be further from the truth. Whether you are young, old, rich, poor, single, or married, it is better to plan ahead now so that your desires can be enforced at the time of your incapacity or death rather than wait until it is too late or be subject to laws that will make those decisions for you. Unfortunately, life is unpredictable and accidents, diseases, and death are unplanned and often unexpected. The factors I considered are probably the same factors that many people consider in deciding if they should have an estate plan. However, not one of those factors should be the deciding factor on whether you need an estate plan.

Having an estate plan in place can address your specific desires, including but not limited to, who will inherit your property, whether your will be buried or cremated, who will act as guardian of your child(ren), who will take care of your pets, who will make important financial or health care decisions in the event you are incapacitated and whether you wish to receive life support treatment.

Even if you have an estate plan in place, it should be reviewed periodically, especially if you have had a recent change in your life, such as marriage, divorce, birth/adoption of a child, or death of a spouse. More importantly, laws change and there is a possibility that certain provisions in your existing estate plan may no longer be valid.

The attorneys at Flangas McMillan Law Group would be able to provide the legal advice, guidance and expertise to assist you with your estate plan and to ensure your estate plan complies with NRS Chapter 133 and NRS 449.535 to NRS 449.690.

For more information contact us at office@flangasmcmillan.com.

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