A lot of people think estate planning is only for the wealthy. In practice, it’s for anyone who has people they love and wants to make things easier for them. These are the documents most North Dakota families should have.
A will
A will says who receives your property and who will handle your estate after you pass away. If you have young children, it’s also where you can name the guardian you’d want to raise them. Without a will, North Dakota law decides who inherits, and that may not match what you would have chosen.
A durable power of attorney
This document names someone you trust to handle your finances if you can’t, for example after an accident or during a serious illness. Without one, your family may have to go to court to get that authority.
A health care directive
A health care directive lets you name someone to make medical decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself, and lets you write down your wishes about treatment. It spares your family from guessing at a very hard moment.
Whether a trust makes sense
Some families also use a trust, for example to manage property for minor children or to keep certain matters private. A trust isn’t right for everyone. We can tell you whether one makes sense for your family.
Review your plan when life changes
Marriage, divorce, a new child, a move or a death in the family are all good reasons to look at your plan again. So is a change in how you’d like things handled.
We help North Dakota families put these documents in place and go over each one with you before you sign. Our estate planning services are provided in North Dakota only. Call us at 703-649-4848 to talk about your plan.
