April is Stress Awareness Month, and since this past year has been difficult for most, we think this is a pretty important topic. In fact, when the American Psychological Association released their Stress in America™ 2020 report in October, they subtitled it a National Health Crisis in America. According to the report, 78% of adults say the coronavirus pandemic is a significant source of stress in their life and nearly half of adults report their behavior has been negatively impacted.
If you are stressed out, it’s okay. So is most of America. But this is a good time to start thinking about ways to relieve some of that stress. Whether it’s exercising, sitting down to your favorite comedy or just having alone time to listen to music and take a few deep breaths, finding an outlet to alleviate your stress is important.
We know estate planning seems stressful and overwhelming as well. But having a solid estate plan in place can actually help reduce your stress in the long run. Once you know everything is in order, you can focus your attention elsewhere and not worry quite so much about the unexpected.
We get it – no one wants to think about dying. But working with a law firm to help you coordinate your estate plan takes some of the stress off of you. Here are five reasons why:
- You’ll get expert advice: Estate planning is complicated. There are multiple steps involved in creating a comprehensive plan that ensures your wishes are upheld. An attorney can help you draft a plan that fits your circumstance, advise you on any potential issues and guide you through the process.
- They’ll help you find the right facilitator: The executor of your estate is someone appointed to oversee your estate after your death. It’s someone who you trust and know will follow your requests. This is not always any easy decision, but a law firm can help you identify the best person for the task.
- You’ll gain from their experience: An estate planning firm deals with these topics every day. They’ve seen estates that go to probate and know how to avoid it. They know the federal estate tax laws and can instruct you how to minimize the burden to your heirs. They know what to ask and how to best advise you on your particular situation.
- You’ll get more than a will: Often, when hiring an estate planning firm, they’ll incorporate your living will (Advanced Healthcare Directive) and power of attorney as well. This allows you to make plans for if you are incapacitated and need someone to make decisions on your behalf.
- You’ll have peace of mind: Having your plan in place allows you and your beneficiaries to know that everything is well documented and legally enforceable in case something happens. A law firm will review your plan and make sure that everything is exactly where it needs to be.
If you are ready to put together or revise your estate plan, we are here to help you. At de Jesus Law Group, we are relationship builders. We’ll take who you are and what you want for your estate, and we’ll guide you through a comprehensive plan that accomplishes just that. Our goal is to make it as easy and stress-free as possible for you. Contact us today to get started.
