Special Estate Planning Considerations for Women

Not so long ago, the process of estate planning was generally considered to be a “man’s business.” It was not socially acceptable for women to be financially savvy and deeply invested in matters involving a family’s estate. However, over the past several decades this well-established social norm has been flipped on its head. It is now considered critically important for women to be invested and involved in all financial and legal matters that affect them. As estate planning centers on one’s individual wishes concerning property, medical care, guardianship for minor children and legacy in the wake of incapacitation and/or death, women are now becoming more informed than ever about the estate planning process. In addition, many are discovering that working with an experienced attorney allows them to be both informed and empowered in regards to their individual estate planning journeys.  

 

Estate Planning as a “Woman’s Issue”

 

The reason that estate planning is a woman’s issue is both simple and straightforward: Estate planning affects women. Any woman who is interested in ensuring that her wishes are clearly articulated and legally enforceable should therefore consider connecting with an experienced estate planning attorney today.

 

When planning for a consultation, please consider writing down any questions you may have about this process and gathering some helpful documentation. For example, you may want to write down the names of individuals you would consider entrusting with the authority to make medical and/or financial decisions on your behalf in the event you were incapacitated by injury or illness. You may wish to bring along a thumbdrive containing important information about your digital accounts for use in creating your digital estate plan. Similarly, you may wish to list all of your financially-related accounts, truly sentimental and/or financially valuable property and the needs of your pets so that you and your attorney can address these assets as you prepare your estate plan. This process can be intimidating, but it is necessary and potentially very, very time-sensitive, so please don’t wait to get started.

 

Legal Assistance Is Available

 

If you are interested in creating an estate plan or modifying an existing estate plan, please do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with an attorney experienced in this area of law. Estate plans are meant to serve as living documents. As a result, they are meant to be updated over time so that they can consistently reflect the most current wishes of the individual estate plan creator. Working with an experienced estate planning attorney will allow you to better ensure that your wishes are both clearly (and currently) articulated and are ultimately enforceable. A law firm has extensive experience assisting women with both creating estate plans “from scratch” and with modifying existing estate plans. An attorney would be happy to speak with you about your unique estate planning needs, priorities and broader vision and to answer any questions you may have.

Source: Estate Lawyer Allentown, PA, Klenk Law