Starting the process of estate planning can feel like standing at the base of a mountain. You know you need to climb it, but you’re not sure where the trail begins. For many, that uncertainty creates a sense of overwhelm, making it easier to delay the process altogether. The truth is, estate planning doesn’t have to be intimidating.
Listed below are some key contributors to that feeling of overwhelm, and hopefully by addressing these voices, they will start to feel a little less loud.
1. It Feels SO Complicated
When you hear terms like “trusts,” “probate,” “executor,” how does it make you feel? Unless you are an attorney, legal jargon seems to have a negative effect on most of us. When we don’t understand something it immediately feels overwhelming. The result of this is paralysis before even taking the first step.
At Linville Estate Law, one of our core values is “act like people, not like lawyers.” We value connection and clear communication over legal jargon. No question is off the table, and our attorneys top priority is to ensure that you know exactly what to expect.
“Estate planning can be a very difficult topic to discuss, understand, and develop; however the full team at Linville made it an easy to manage and comfortable experience.” -Anthony
2. Not Knowing What Documents You Need
Most people don’t know what an estate plan consists of: trust, will, power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, etc. Without a roadmap, they don’t know what’s essential versus optional.
“What do I really need?” is a fair question to ask. Estate plans can be unique and customized to your life stage and specific needs. Your attorney will be able to explain the purpose of each estate planning document, and make recommendations tailored to you and your family.
“We have a blended family and a special needs daughter with lots of questions that needed answers. Trent and Ryan were easy to talk with about our needs. Our Estate planning options were reviewed… Our options were carefully considered. The staff made our complex situation feel manageable…” -Barbara
3. Fear of Making the Wrong Decision
Creating an estate plan requires you to make some important decisions. You will need to ask questions such as: Who should be the executor of my will? Who should care for the kids? What do I want to leave to whom? These might be difficult questions to answer if you have never asked them before.
It is very common for people to have the fear that they’ll “mess it up” or pick the wrong person, so they do nothing instead.
While these decisions do require thought and time. They are worth answering and will ultimately save your loved ones time, stress, and money if they are answered by you first.
And, the good news is that most estate planning documents can be changed while you are living, so if circumstances change or you change your mind on any decisions you’ve made, it is easy to update your plan accordingly.
4. Information Overload and Conflicting Advice
An abundance of information can sometimes aid the feeling of overwhelm that keeps us stuck. Google searches, financial blogs, and advice from friends can often contradict each other. Too much information without context creates “analysis paralysis.” Most people don’t know which sources to trust.
While there is value in research and being informed before taking a step, one of the best ways to be informed is to have a relationship with an expert attorney that you trust. Most of our clients say that their overwhelm dissolved during their first attorney meeting.
“We kept putting off having a Trust set up because we thought it would be a lot more complicated than it actually was. … They made the entire process go so smoothly, and made sure to take the time with us that we needed to completely understand every step.” -Cher
If you are ready to take your first step to overcoming the feeling of overwhelm and take your family’s future back in your own hands, click here to schedule a free discovery call.
