Planning an estate is something that one should not procrastinate in completing. However, there are several common reasons why people tend to avoid estate planning in California. Some of these reasons are psychological while others are based upon a lack of knowledge concerning the appropriate steps.
One of the most common reasons for procrastinating in planning an estate is that most people do not want to think about their own demise. Despite it being an uncomfortable subject matter, there are many other important people in a person’s life that will be depending upon an estate plan being in place in the case of something unexpected occurring. For instance, having a custody plan in place can ensure that one’s children are safe. Also, having an estate plan in place will help one’s family more easily distribute estate assets and money, which allows the family to deal with an emotionally challenging time.
Many people may be intimidated by planning an estate because they do not understand how to go about it. The legal and financial considerations may seem intimidating and confusing at first. Seeking the right professional help can go a long ways toward making proper estate planning decisions.
Nevertheless, there is not a one-size-fit all solution to estate planning in California. Therefore, the relevant laws will need to be applied to the particulars of each person’s circumstances. Each individual has his or her own concerns and considerations. An estate planning strategy can be established to conform with individual wishes and achieve the intended goals.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Why We Avoid Estate Planning“, David A. Dedman, Feb. 26, 2015