If you have an estate plan in place, you already recognize the numerous benefits an estate plan offers. Once your plan is in place, however, you may struggle with deciding how much (if any) of the plan details to share with beneficiaries and heirs of your estate. Ultimately, it is a very personal decision; however, the Indianapolis estate planning attorneys at Frank & Kraft discuss the pros and cons of sharing your estate plan with loved ones.
Pros of Sharing Details of Your Estate Plan
Discussing the details of your estate plan — particularly those details that relate to how your estate assets are to be distributed after you are gone – may be an uncomfortable conversation, to say the least. There are, however, several reasons why doing so may be your best choice.
One reason to share your estate plan details with loved ones is so that they will know what to do if something happens to you. After your death, for example, someone must step in and take care of the practical and legal things required to settle your affairs and probate your estate. Discussing your estate plan details with the person you appoint as your Executor ensures that he/she is prepared to step up when the time comes to fulfill his/her duties. It will also make your Executor’s job easier if he/she has prior knowledge of your overall estate plan and knows where your estate planning documents and financial records are stored.
The same basic concept applies in the event you become incapacitated. If you executed an advance directive that named someone as your health care Agent, it can save time and stress if that person is already aware of the appointment and is ready to act when the time comes to do so. Likewise, having a living will in place makes difficult decisions easier for your family if they already know your wishes as set forth in the living will.
Another reason to share your estate plan details is to decrease the likelihood of litigation. For instance, if you know that decisions made within your estate plan are likely to be controversial, letting beneficiaries know ahead of time may reduce the likelihood of litigation after you are gone. Remaining silent may make it easier to question – and legally challenge – your bequests within your Will once you are gone
Cons of Sharing Details of Your Estate Plan
For many people, the strongest argument against sharing the details of their estate plan is simply that they want those details to remain private. You absolutely have the right to keep the details private – at least until after your death. Once your Will is submitted to probate it becomes public record, meaning the details of your Will do not remain private. A trust, on the other hand, does not go through probate. As such, the terms of a trust agreement will remain private.
You may also feel that divulging the details of your estate plan while you are alive will lead to too much controversy. A long-standing family feud could be ignited once again or siblings could turn on each other once they are made aware of how your estate is to be distributed. If you disinherit an heir (especially a child) in your Will, you may also prefer to keep that decision to yourself if it will cause significant discord within the family.
Creating a Letter of Instructions
One compromise is to create a Letter of Instructions. This is a document that allows you to provide relevant information to beneficiaries that is not included elsewhere in your plan. Although it is not a legally binding document, it can provide you with the ability to explain decisions you made elsewhere in your estate plan. In essence, this lets you explain things after the fact instead of while you are here which can help prevent discord or litigation.
Contact Indianapolis Estate Planning Attorneys
For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar. If you have additional questions or concerns regarding estate planning, contact the experienced Indianapolis estate planning attorneys at Frank & Kraft by calling (317) 684-1100 to schedule an appointment.
Mr. Kraft assists clients primarily in the areas of estate planning and administration, Medicaid planning, federal and state taxation, real estate and corporate law, bringing the added perspective of an accounting background to his work.
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