If you own a home and have a retirement account, you have an estate. When you pass away, your total assets, minus any debt that you might have, are what remains of that estate and your financial legacy. According to LegalZoom, approximately 74% of people in the United States say confusion and uncertainty cause them to procrastinate on creating an estate plan. An estate planning lawyer can help to eliminate the confusion and help people through this difficult process. This article will look at how you can benefit from hiring an estate planning lawyer.

Create a Legally Binding Will

A legally binding will allows your loved ones to understand how you wish to have your assets divided up upon your passing. A lawyer that's experienced in estate planning can help you to create a legally binding will and adjust it as needed over the years. A probate court can use the will to follow your wishes and distribute the remains of your estate after your death. Take the time to find a lawyer with a lot of experience to make the process as easy as possible.

Protect Your Family Assets

An attorney can help you to protect your family's assets by creating trusts that take legal ownership of them. You still get to use and control the assets, but one or more trusts can protect them against lawsuits or legal liability. For example, if you were in a car accident or sued by someone, those assets could be protected when they're placed in a legal trust. Set up a consultation with an estate planning attorney today to learn more about trusts and how they can protect your assets.

Answer Tough Healthcare Questions in Advance

One of the hardest decisions a spouse or family member might have to make is how to handle healthcare decisions if you are on life support due to a tragic accident, illness, or disease. You can use a living will to determine your acceptable standards of care in advance with the help of an estate planning lawyer. If you are incapacitated, your living will would guide the important decisions for your healthcare. Work with an attorney that is part of a locally and family-owned firm to guarantee your needs are a top priority and that you can talk to your legal professionals in person to have any questions you have about the process answered promptly.

The right legal professional can make the planning and drafting of a will a simple and straightforward process. If you're in need of an estate planning attorney, contact Bethany Ellison Malone, Attorney At Law today. Our team can help to ensure your assets, medical rights, and loved ones are protected.