NATIONAL MAKE A WILL MONTH

Did you know that it’s National Make a Will Month?  We recently watched a Today Show feature that shared the importance of having an estate plan.  Unfortunately, the Today Show failed to share some very important aspects of estate planning and creating a will.  Instead of recommending an estate planning attorney, they directed their viewers to get a form at Office Depot or online.  We would highly recommend against this, as there are critical steps in the process, if done incorrectly, could basically invalidate a will.  For example, the most important aspect to be aware of is your signature.  Your signature is your attestation that this is your will and that you agree with its contents.  Every state has different attestation requirements and grabbing a form online or in an office supply store will not do you any good unless you know and understand the attestation requirements.

You might also say to yourself, “I already have a will, why do I care?”  Things changes and so do circumstances.  Circumstances or events can often require you to update your existing estate plan.  What are the life events that could trigger the need for creating or revising a will?  Here are a few:

*Birth/Adoption

*Marriage/Re-Marriage

*Sale or Purchase of Property

*Divorce

*Disability/Sudden Illness

*Illness/Injury

*Death of a Loved One

At Khani & Auerbach, see us before you go…….to the office supply store or research estate planning online, give us a call and see how we can save you time and money.   And remember, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”