Estate Planning Lessons from the 2017 Hurricane Season

The 2017 hurricane season was brutal for Floridians, especially those who were directly in the path of Hurricane Irma. Many people were forced to evacuate their homes. While the storm did not end up being quite as devastating as was initially predicted, there was still a lot of destruction left in its wake.

The storms of this past fall were a reminder of the importance of having a cohesive estate plan in place. Below are just a few estate planning lessons we can all learn:

• Planning ahead is crucial: You never know when a disaster can strike. Just as you should create a list of the items you need to prepare for a storm, you should also have a list of everything you need to account for in your estate plan and make sure you have those elements in place long before a disaster occurs.
• Get help: Everyone in Florida is in the same situation when it comes to hurricane risk. Many neighbors are more than willing to help each other out when it comes to watching out for each other and assisting one other during the storm season. The same is true with estate planning — you cannot do it all yourself, and you shouldn’t even try. Consult an experienced attorney with a deep understanding of estate law.
• Remember what’s important: Your family, friends and loved ones should always come first. During a hurricane scenario, you will always drop anything else and focus on keeping your loved ones safe. The same is true with estate planning. The most important thing about creating a will or trust is ensuring a stable future for your family members and close friends.

For more tips and guidance related to estate planning, speak with a trusted Tampa lawyer at BaumannKangas estate law.