How Should I Discuss My New Estate Plan With My Family in West Palm Beach?

While the actual process of creating your estate plan in West Palm Beach is important, explaining your decisions to your loved ones could be just as difficult. A discussion about your estate plan could be more important than you realize, and it may even help your family avoid issues with probate down the road. How should you approach this conversation? Can a West Palm Beach probate lawyer help?

When to Discuss Issues With Family Members One-on-One 

You might need to discuss certain issues with family members in a one-on-one setting. For example, you might have decided to disinherit a family member and remove them from your Will. If this is the case, you may want to take that family member aside and explain your decision to them privately.

Although this conversation might be difficult, it could save your other family members from difficult situations during the probate process. If an individual understands why they have been disinherited, they may be less likely to contest your Will during probate.

When to Discuss Issues With the Entire Family 

When explaining your Will/trust, you may wish to include the entire family. This could be beneficial because it creates numerous witnesses who all hear you saying the same thing. You might discuss what you’re going to leave behind, what you’re going to donate to charity, and how you expect your loved ones to handle your passing.

While you don’t need to get into specifics, a discussion of this nature could also prevent Will contests after your passing. If one family member decides to argue that your Will is fraudulent or that you lacked the mental capacity to write it, another family member might recall your discussion and push back.

These group discussions allow family members to voice any concerns they might have. This could reduce family disputes in the future, as long as everyone gets a chance to speak.

Can I Keep My Estate Plan Secret? 

You are within your rights to keep your estate plan confidential in Florida. Although you need to find witnesses to your actual signing of the will in order for your will to be valid you don’t have to tell your family about your decisions. Some people prefer to leave the specifics confidential and beneficiaries may appreciate the “surprise” of their inheritance.

You can also create “secret trusts” in Florida, although these are slightly controversial in nature. However, they could be viable for those who wish to hide assets and wealth from their beneficiaries.

Can an Estate Planning Lawyer in Stuart Help? 

An estate planning lawyer in Stuart can help you plan out trusts, Wills, advance directives, and many other strategies. They may also help you assess potential risks during probate, and this guidance could make discussions with your family easier. Once you’re aware of how your family might react to your estate plan, you can address these potential issues with confidence. Learn more by contacting Kitroser Lewis & Mighdoll today.

Sources 

cibc.com/en/personal-banking/smart-advice/advice-for-today/estate-planning-discussion-topics.html

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0736/Sections/0736.0403.html