An estate plan may make the probate process easier on your loved ones. Immediately following your death, however, what might your family need?
Start gathering up some of the following information so that your death will not burden those you love the most.
Does someone know where your paperwork is?
One of the first things your family will do is start looking for your estate plan. If they cannot find it, Florida probate cannot begin. It is good practice to send your estate plan to the person you designate to oversee it, also known as the executor.
Prepare a separate document with detailed instructions about how you want your remains handled. This can go along with your estate plan, but you may want to send a copy to your closest loved ones so they have it immediately after your death.
Where are your passwords?
Whoever handles your estate will need to access all of your records, and since many things are online, you likely have accounts and passwords. Without access, your executor may experience longer wait times to access your accounts. Leave a current list of passwords with your estate plan or send it to a trusted friend.
Do you have joint account owners?
Joint accounts pass directly to the survivor. This can aid in funding your funeral or household expenses right after your death. It can also ensure that those you love have money to sustain them during the probate process.
To prepare your estate properly, you should take all of these steps now to ensure your loved ones can get to the information they need to decrease the emotional stress your death will bring.
