Arpana Grace Warren, Estate Attorney - The Heart of Estate Planning

The term “estate planning” doesn’t mean much to most of us. We might conjure up thoughts of a wealthy spinster aunt planning for the distribution of her vast accumulation of properties to a long list of distantly-related nieces and nephews. While there are probably a few of those folks out there, the vast majority of us just want to make responsible decisions to help our loved ones sort out our assets and belongings after we pass on. This is what I do, and what I will attempt to help you understand how to do, in this seminar: to know some of the reasonable options available in making choices about how your assets, your health care, your children, and other major components of your life are to be treated upon your incapacity or death.

Your estate planning professionals, in helping you make those decisions, should keep in mind the following objectives, which are the “heart” of estate planning:

To ensure that your family members have all the information they need to provide for your health care in the event of a terminal illness or injury, and that they know your wishes in advance regarding the use or removal of life support and other crucial end-of-life decisions.
To ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that those who are appointed to carry out your wishes after your death (including executors, successor trustees and guardians of minor children) have all the resources they need to do their job properly.
To ensure that your intended beneficiaries receive your assets upon your death, not the courts, lawyers and IRS.
To provide for your family in a kind and compassionate manner, materially and spiritually, as they transition into life after the loss of a loved one.

The most common types of estate planning documents and their uses are described below. While the details will vary for each individual or family, depending on your own unique circumstances, these tools are flexible enough that they can be drafted to provide for your wishes in almost all instances.

Thank you for visiting this website. I hope you will learn something about estate planning and how making the right plan can greatly benefit you and your family and loved ones. Please take note of my email address and let me know if you would like to be notified of future seminars, or if you would like to make an appointment with me at one of my office locations. You may also contact me by phone.

What Is "The Heart of Estate Planning"?