Michael Dresser said that “Thanksgiving is America’s national chow-down feast, the one occasion each year when gluttony becomes a patriotic duty.” Johnny Carson described Thanksgiving as an emotional holiday. “People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.” Others view it as a time to count their blessings of bounty, good health, or elastic waistbands. Thanksgiving is really about gathering together with family members and giving thanks to the good people in our lives.
Thanksgiving holiday weekend is also an ideal time to discuss estate planning matters with loved ones. Understandably, no one wants to discuss his or her death and incapacity. Adopting an optimistic approach regarding this subject would be as successful as trying to start a new diet on Thanksgiving Day. Rather, a more realistic approach is more comforting like grandma’s traditional apple pie.
It’s important when everyone is gathered together to discuss your healthcare wishes. What would you do if you suddenly became seriously ill or injured? What type of medical care would you want to receive? Who would you want look after your children? What if you die without a will in place? Who would you want to get your property?
Granted, sitting around discussing your death and distribution of assets may not be your idea of the perfect holiday season; however, it is this kind of future planning that effects your family in the future. It is important to adopt a pragmatic mentality about the future and set aside some time to discuss these very important issues with the people you love and care the most about. It is equally important to explore various options on fulfilling your wishes with your South Florida estate planning attorney.
For more information on successful Florida estate planning, please contact the South Florida law firm of Wild Felice & Partners, P.A. at (954) 944-2855 to schedule your free consultation. While our South Florida estate planning attorneys have the expertise in tax planning, as well as the designations of LL.M. and CPA that provide for the highest level of professional service, our firm aims to shed the tax attorney paradigm that estate planners are often pigeon-holed with and focus instead on the dynamic relationships between our clients and their loved ones.
Estate planning is about those friends and family left behind, which is why we first ask our clients what their wealth transfer and asset protection goals are and then explain how we can accomplish those goals together.
It’s a Wild world. Are you protected?SM