5 Steps To Create A Family Will

Gain peace of mind with a family estate plan in place

- Christa C. Hogan

If making a will has languished for years on your to-do list, you’re not alone.

A 2017 study conducted by Caring.com, an online resource for caregivers, found that six in 10 adults in the U.S. don’t have an estate plan in place, which leaves millions of Americans struggling each year with expensive, complicated arrangements on behalf of deceased loved ones.

Making a will is especially important for parents, who may otherwise leave the care of their children up to the courts and protective services if they die intestate, or without a will. Here’s how to start off 2019 with more peace of mind and a family estate plan in place.

1. Choose your estate planners.

Although you can use online legal resources and go it alone, there is benefit from working with an experienced estate planner. The National Institute of Certified Estate Planners suggests working with a team that includes an attorney and a financial adviser who can help you avoid costly mistakes. For recommendations, talk to friends and family who have created a will or visit nicep.org.