At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we are well aware that working with estate planners is the way to protect your family from the logistical, legal, and financial problems that may beset them when you die, especially if you die suddenly and unexpectedly.
While nobody likes to think about death, we all know that unless we plan for our inevitable demise, we put our loved ones at serious risk. Nonetheless, far too many people just starting out or in their middle years convince themselves that death is at the other end of life’s arc and that they needn’t prepare for it yet. This concept doesn’t mesh with reality. After all, the distinguishing trait of sudden death is that we don’t know it’s coming.
Though many people live to reach the country’s average age of death (about 78 years) or beyond, we have all heard about family members, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and celebrities who have suddenly died in their 50s, 40s, 30s, or even 20s. As a matter of fact, most such deaths occur in patients in their 30s and 40s. Ironically, a significant proportion of those who die due to cardiac causes, die during athletic pursuits as they are doing their best to keep fit.
As far as the odds go, it is reasonable to recognize that we may be one of the exceptions, living at one end of the spectrum or the other — living a good deal longer than the average lifespan (perhaps to 100 or beyond) or losing our lives while we are still young.
The questions you should ask yourself are these:
- If I die suddenly at a young age, will my loved ones have the ongoing support to continue their lives with comfort and security?
- Will they be able to pay the rent or mortgage?
- Will they be able to take the time they need to deal with their grief?
- Will my children be able to finish their education?
If you are facing such questions in Southeastern Massachusetts or Cape Cod, contacting Surprenant & Beneski is a wise choice. Our skilled estate planning attorneys are focused on providing you with the peace of mind that comes from getting your affairs in order, just in case.
How Surprenant & Beneski Can Help You Prepare for the Unthinkable
The best thing about taking steps to prepare for the unthinkable is that, once you have worked with one of our astute estate planning attorneys, you will feel secure and be able to stop thinking about it. We will help you to consider your best options in terms of:
- Avoiding probate if you have a large, complex estate
- Establishing irrevocable trusts to protect your assets from creditors, excessive taxation, and lawsuits
- Establishing trusts to provide for smooth business succession
- Establishing trusts to protect special needs family members from losing government benefits
- Establishing trusts to protecting spendthrift or addicted relatives from their own destructive habits
- Establishing trusts to make certain you leave the meaningful legacy you intend through a charitable trust or an endowment
Our estate planning lawyers have comprehensive knowledge of Massachusetts estate planning laws and how they apply to your particular estate. By listening carefully to your input, we will create a plan customized to cover all of your needs and concerns. The plan will work equally well if there is an unexpected catastrophe or, as we all hope, you live a long and productive life.
Contact Surprenant & Beneski Now to Secure Your Family’s Future
You will find that we will take a personal interest in you and your family and treat you with the individual attention and respect you deserve. We look forward to working with you for many years, updating your estate plan as you move through life’s stages toward the goals and pleasures that await you.
©Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. 35 Arnold Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, 336 South Street, Hyannis MA 02601 and 45 Bristol Drive, Easton MA 02375. This article is for illustration purposes only. This handout does not constitute legal advice. There is no attorney/client relationship created with Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. by this article. DO NOT make decisions based upon information in this handout. Every family is unique and legal advice can only be given after an individual consultation with an elder law attorney. Any decisions made without proper legal advice may cause significant legal and financial problems.