Experiencing bankruptcy can be a challenging and stressful ordeal. As you begin to rebuild your financial life after the process, it is essential to take steps to safeguard your remaining assets and secure a stable future for yourself and your loved ones. One effective way to achieve this is through estate planning, which serves as your roadmap into the future.
Protecting Your Money and Property
Having gone through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, it’s crucial to safeguard the assets that were protected during the process. An estate plan can help you achieve this goal with the following elements:
- Beneficiary Designations: Properly complete beneficiary designations for accounts and policies you retained after bankruptcy. This ensures that the money and benefits go directly to your chosen beneficiaries, avoiding costly and time-consuming probate proceedings.
- Last Will and Testament: Create a comprehensive will that designates a personal representative or executor to manage your accounts and property, specifies beneficiaries, and appoints a guardian for minor children. A will ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes, but note that it may involve probate for accounts and property without beneficiary designations.
- Revocable Living Trust: Establish a revocable living trust during your lifetime, designating yourself as the current trustee and a co-trustee or successor trustee to act if you become unable to manage your affairs. Transferring ownership of your accounts and property to the trust avoids probate court, providing efficient management of assets during your lifetime and after your passing.
Additional Protections an Estate Plan Can Provide
Beyond planning for the distribution of assets after death, estate planning also focuses on addressing incapacity concerns. Key questions to consider include:
- Financial Decisions: Who will make financial decisions for you if you become incapacitated?
- Medical Decisions: Who will make medical decisions for you if you are unable?
- End-of-Life Care: What are your wishes regarding end-of-life care?
- Terminal Illness: What medical treatments do you want if diagnosed with a terminal illness or in a persistent vegetative state?
- Minor Children: Who will care for your minor children in the event of your incapacity or passing?
By legally documenting your choices in an enforceable estate plan, you can ensure your preferences are followed, avoiding the need for a judge to make decisions on your behalf.
Embrace a Protected Future with Our Help
Having experienced bankruptcy, you’ve faced considerable challenges. Now, it’s time to focus on securing a protected future for yourself and your loved ones. Our estate planning experts are here to guide you through the process, customizing a plan that aligns with your unique objectives. With an effective estate plan in place, you can confidently embark on this new chapter in your life, knowing that your money, property, and loved ones are well protected. Contact us today to start planning for a more secure and prosperous future.