Pitfalls of Will Planning

So many clients are advised that they need a will. In fact, will planning is becoming obsolete for persons over sixty for many reasons.

Instead of actually solving problems, wills often create them. First, they must be proven to be valid in a court proceeding, the infamous probate. Court proceedings may be expensive, time-consuming and things often go wrong. Also, when the client dies, that will is often out-of-date, having been created decades before. The executors may be the wrong persons, the beneficiaries or their percentages may be wrong or other changes in the family have not been taken into account.

Notice of the court proceeding must be given to certain relatives who may be difficult or impossible to locate. Complications arise with relatives in foreign countries who may need to go to the American Consulate for notarization or “consularization” of legal documents. If there is a disabled child, the court will appoint a lawyer to represent that heir's interests, including preparing a report to the court, and your estate must pay that attorney's fees.

Proof problems with the will may lead to delays preventing needed funds from getting to surviving spouses or children. It is fairly common for real estate to be tied up, while the probate process drags on, causing potential buyers to be lost. In some cases, stock cannot be sold even though it may be falling in value rapidly. Bills can remain unpaid for lengthy periods as bank accounts are unavailable. Law firms routinely find they must commence probate proceedings as a courtesy for families who cannot afford the legal fees to get the matter started. The cost of court proceedings today may be expected to be in the five figure range.

Two other pitfalls of will planning bear mentioning. First, since the will is filed in court, it becomes a public record. Anyone may go to the courthouse and order a copy of your will to see what you had and who you left it to. Secondly, since notice must be given to the heirs you may have left out, or left less than they may feel they are entitled to, you run the risk of a will contest if your estate is distributed in anything but equal shares.

When you are in probate court, who is in charge? The judge, not you or your lawyer. Don't suppose that the judge will always act in your best interests, as the court may have other interests to consider.

Always better to stay out of court, in our opinion. By using a living trust, instead of a will, you may avoid probate court proceedings and keep control, or at least control rests with those you have chosen, if you die or become disabled. The expenses are sufficiently less without court proceedings that clients often save tens of thousands of dollars in estate settlement costs.

The other problem with a will? It only takes effect when you die. Today, about half of all people eventually become disabled. Since the will does not provide for disability, you risk guardianship proceedings. These proceedings occur later in life when someone becomes unable to handle their affairs and does not have an adequate plan set up for disability. In a guardianship, the court will appoint someone to handle your affairs. Not only may it not be the person you would have chosen, it may not even be someone you know. Trusts, which take effect while you are living, are considered a highly effective tool to avoid guardianship proceedings so that the person or persons you choose will be in charge. This way, you may be certain that your best interests will be looked after.

In short, when someone tells you that you need a will, think again. It may be a trust that you need instead.

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