By Renee Fry, founder and CEO of Gentreo.
The recent deaths of actress Anne Heche and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II were milestones, not only because of the tragedy of their deaths, but also in part because of the plans underway for each of their estates. The Queen left one of the maximum complex spaces with a comprehensive plan to match, allowing for an elegant transition for the royal family. However, Anne Heche did not have a will in place and, as a result, let her 20-year-old son navigate the courts. Moments like these remind us why it is imperative to make estate plans and the implications of not doing so.
Her Majesty’s Perfect Plan
Queen Elizabeth II had prepared her death years in advance, creating a patrimonial plan that passed all her assets to the heirs of her choice. He even had a plan ready for his beloved corgis, which will be taken care of by the Duke and Duchess. of York, Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. The Queen and Duchess of York had a lasting bond because of their love of dogs, according to the Washington Post. Sure, it’s hard to compare a general estate plan with that of the Queen herself, yet you can learn a lot about her example on how not to inadvertently leave confusion and questions to her family.
The tragedy of Anne Heche
Anne Heche’s death was premature and tragic. Unfortunately, she reportedly had nothing to do with her estate. This left his only son, Homer, with the burden of going to court to be appointed administrator of his estate. his mother’s estate. Part of that struggle was getting the courts to appoint someone to take care of his younger brother. Not only is Homer dealing with his mother’s tragic death, but now being tasked with navigating the courts deserves to grieve. Can you believe the legal fees, time, and hassles that might have accumulated if she had taken some of her time to draft a will?
Although this story is terrible, unfortunately it is all too common. According to a 2020 Gallup poll, 54% of respondents say they don’t have a will. While this is just a snapshot of the population, it shows that many families have reports when it comes to fundamental estate plans like a will or health care power of attorney.
Help with estate planning
Get a checklist of things you need to do: Since this is new to most, it’s helpful to know what steps are needed to create an estate plan that’s unique to you and where you are in life. Tasks such as assessing your and your family’s wishes, directory your assets, and making decisions about your fitness will help you find a plan that works for you as you find yourself in life.
At Gentreo, we hear stories from others across the country reiterating the repercussions of leaving a disaster for those they enjoy. . But when the worst happens, families want to be together to care for their loved ones with health problems or bereavement, without spending thousands of dollars on legal fees that can be completely avoidable. Everyone deserves to make plans to protect their decisions, the enjoyments, and everything they love. We all deserve to live like a queen – make plans now while you’re satisfied and healthy so your circle of family doesn’t have to worry later.
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