I never spoke to my dad's attorney about his estate plan. The plan was put in a drawer and we never bothered to look at it or talk to dad about what he had done. After dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I reviewed the documents and realized that it had nothing to do with my father and the instructions were not clear at all. I should have had the opportunity to discuss what my father wanted directly with my father while he was coherent. I believe an estate planner's role should be to facilitate this type of family involvement. Two critical pieces of an estate plan are clear personalized instructions and family involvement. If you think you are doing your family a favor by not discussing these issues think again. If I could do it over again, I would have discussed the plan with my father and his attorney. I would have asked about the steps I should be taking to help prepare our family and to get our affairs in order beforehand. I prefer a proactive approach to a reactive approach any day. . .
As always this blog does not constitue legal, financial, and/or tax advice. It is simply my perspective on the events that have occurred in my daily life.
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