Estate Planning Documents: Location, Location, Location

“Location, location, location” are three words we often associate with real estate; however, location very much surrounds the realm of estate planning. 

Besides drafting a will, it is critical that family members and close friends know where they can locate documentation after a loved one’s passing.  A will establishes directives for disposing of a deceased’s assets, but it may not disclose where those assets can be found.  Additionally, a will may be silent on a deceased’s wishes involving funeral arrangements or other important details.  If these documents cannot be found, you run the risk of having your wishes go unfulfilled.  Hence, it is crucial to not only have an estate plan in place, but to have it where it can be found. 

Although planning out the details of your after-life wishes may seem uncomfortable, think of it as planning for loved ones’ peace of mind.  When thinking of where to place this information for others’ future use, remember, “location, location, location!”

See Margaret S. Barr, Location, Location, Location re: Estate Planning Documents, The National Law Review, Sept. 28, 2014.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.