Why Married Couples Need an Estate Plan

Don't assume your estate will automatically go to your spouse when you die.

If you don't have an estate plan, your spouse may have to share your estate with other family members. It's also possible, if you die without an estate plan, the state will decide where your assets go.

Each state has laws that determine what will happen to your estate if you don't have a will. If you are married, most states award one-third to one-half of your estate to your spouse, with the rest divided among your children or, if you don't have children, to other living relatives such as your parents or siblings.

The Importance of a Backup Plan: Estate Planning Basics and Important Legal Documents

Without an estate plan, you need to worry about what could happen if you become incapacitated. While your spouse may be able to access your joint bank accounts and make health care decisions for you, what happens if something happens to your spouse?

It's important to have back-up plans. And even if your spouse is fine, depending on how your finances are set up, your spouse may not be able to access everything without a power of attorney authorizing it.

To avoid this, it is important to make sure you have estate planning documents in place. The most basic estate planning document is a will. If you do not have a will directing who will inherit your assets, your estate will be distributed according to state law, which, as noted, gives only a portion of your estate to your spouse. If you have children, a will is also where you can name a guardian for your children.

Add a Trust Document to Your Estate Plan to Avoid Probate Court Plus Other Advantages

You may also want a trust to be a part of your estate plan. It permits you to name someone to manage your financial affairs. You can name one or more people to serve as co-trustee with you so that you can work together on your finances. This allows them to seamlessly take over in the event of your incapacity.

Trusts have many options for how they can be structured and what happens with your property after your death. There are several different reasons for setting up a trust. The most common one is to avoid probate.

If you establish a revocable living trust that terminates when you die, any property in the trust passes immediately to the named beneficiaries. This can save your designated beneficiaries time and money.

Certain trusts can also result in tax advantages both for the donor and the beneficiary. These could be "credit shelter" or "life insurance" trusts. Other trusts may be used to protect property from creditors or to help the donor qualify for Medicaid.

If you have minor children or blended families, you may need to create testamentary trusts or bypass trusts. It is essential to ensure that all your assets are covered in your estate plan, including:

• Financial accounts

• Retirement accounts

• Life insurance policies

• Other important assets

Financial Planning and the Durable Power of Attorney Document

The next most important document is a durable power of attorney. A power of attorney allows a person you appoint -- your "attorney-in-fact" or "agent" -- to act in your place for financial purposes if and when you ever become incapacitated.

Without it, if you become disabled or even unable to manage your affairs for a period of time, your finances could become disordered and your bills not paid, and this would place a greater burden on your family. They might have to go to court to seek the appointment of a conservator, which takes time and money, all of which can be avoided through a simple document.

Designate a Health Care Proxy

Similar to a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy appoints an agent to make health care decisions for you when you can't do so for yourself, whether permanently or temporarily.

Again, without this document in place, your family members might be forced to go to court to be appointed guardian. Include a medical directive to guide your agent in making decisions that best match your wishes.

Estate Planning for Married Couples at Elder Law Lawyers

Estate planning is critical to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and your loved ones are taken care of in the event of your incapacity or death. Without an estate plan, the probate process and estate taxes could have a significant impact on your assets and the end-of-life care you receive.

An estate planning checklist should include the following:

• Last will and testament

• Living will

• Durable power of attorney

• Health care proxy.

Be sure to consult with a law firm or tax professional to provide legal or tax advice based on your specific legal and financial situation.

Your estate plan should also provide legal and financial power to your surviving spouse or adult children to make medical decisions and manage your finances. With an effective estate plan, you can protect your assets, avoid unnecessary taxes, and ensure your end-of-life care meets your wishes.

Do not assume your spouse is automatically protected when you die. Schedule a consultation with Elder Law Lawyers to make sure you have all the estate planning documents you need.