After you’ve put together your ancillary documents, your power of attorney, your trusts and your will, you might assume that you’re prepared for anything. While having a comprehensively prepared estate plan is a crucial first step, you need to ensure that you finalize this process of protecting your interests. You need to ensure that all relevant team members are aware of the role they play and their responsibility. You should certainly advise those closest to you and your trusted professionals such as your CPA or your estate planning lawyer about the plan you have in place.  

Depending on the relationship you maintain with the beneficiaries and their age, you may want to provide additional details and copies of associated documents. But it is always a good idea to provide directions, detailing the initial steps that should be taken after you pass away. After this first conversation, you may want to create a blueprint of critical information for the individual who will organize your affairs such as:

•       A list of important people to contact.
•       Your personal balance sheets.
•       A list of contact details for your estate beneficiaries.
•       Copies of retirement asset, annuity and life insurance policy beneficiary designations.
•       Individual instructions regarding your children, your business affairs and your funeral and burial desires.
•       A digital asset inventory.

All of these steps can help to clarify things for your loved ones and make things easier if you were to suddenly and unexpectedly pass away.

The right lawyer is a big asset when planning your estate- consider scheduling a meeting now to learn more.