We are sometimes contacted by clients
who indicate that they believe that their estate is too small and
therefore they just need a "simple will." Because they believe
that they need a "simple will," they also assume that the legal
expenses associated with the preparation of such a will should
also be correspondingly simple. There are a number of issues which
often make the preparation of a will the most critical planning
tool that clients can utilize.
The task of assessing the family
assets, the planning that should be done in connection with the
disposition of those assets upon death and even the planning that
can be done prior to death make the task of preparing a will no
easier simply because an estate of a person is smaller than
others.
In assisting our clients in
preparing a will we help them evaluate the consequences of one
particular estate planning tool such as a will versus others that
may be available, for example, powers of attorney for asset
management or advance health care directives. (See these practice
areas for more information).
