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Most people do not particularly enjoy talking or thinking about their own deaths. However, death is a fact of life and this will be something which a person’s loved ones will have to deal with at some point. It is helpful to think about the financial consequences of a family member’s eventual death, since it will be up to the decedent’s survivors to settle that person’s financial affairs in Florida or anywhere else. With that being said, it is possible for a person to make things easier for their family members by employing some simple steps during his or her estate planning.
One important action to take would be to make sure estate planning documents are clearly labeled and properly organized. All of the most important estate planning documents should be included in a single file folder. This should include a person’s will, power-of-attorney documents, living trusts, real estate documents and records, financial records and any other documents which will help with estate administration.
Also, an individual should make sure to clearly name his or her executor, which is the person or entity in charge of administering an estate after a person’s death. An executor will settle any remaining financial affairs, which could include paying off debts or going through the probate process. One should also consider selecting a secondary executor who will be in charge of administering the estate if the primary executor is incapacitated or dies.
The more careful a person is when creating estate planning strategies, the easier it will be for survivors to properly administer the decedent’s estate in Florida or elsewhere. With an effective estate plan in place, it is more likely heirs will be able to avoid a lengthy probate process. This will save significant time and energy for one’s heirs while also helping to avoid expensive legal fees associated with probate.