Working with estate attorneys in Chicago can be uncomfortable — after all, there are some tough questions that need to be asked and answered. However, the entire experience can be made less stressful if you know what types of questions your attorney will ask. Before you make an appointment with estate attorneys in Chicago, make sure you know the answers to these questions.
Estate Attorneys In Chicago Ask: Who Will Care For Minor Children?
If you have minor children, this is an important question to answer — who will take care of them if both you and your spouse dies? However, having an answer to this question isn’t enough. You should also make sure that the person you name guardian agrees with your decision. If they don’t, your death could be even more stressful as the guardian struggles with their new role and your children struggle with the loss of their parents.
Estate Attorneys In Chicago Ask: Are There Any Other Descendants Or Companions?
If your estate attorneys in Chicago seem to ask the same question again and again, it’s not because they don’t remember your answers! Oftentimes when an attorney asks if there are any other descendants, the answer is initially no. A few days later, however, the attorney receives a call that tells them, yes, there’s a secret descendant. If you have a child from a previous relationship, now is the time to have a conversation. It will likely be uncomfortable, but it can be stressful for your loved ones if this relationship comes to light at your funeral or immediately following your death.
If you have a relationship outside of your marriage, it’s also important to disclose it to estate attorneys in Chicago. He or she will be able to advise you on how to approach this relationship in your will, if you want to at all. If you don’t want to provide to your partner, you’re not obligated to do so. However, letting your estate attorneys in Chicago know about the relationship can help them defend against a will contestation after you’re gone.
Estate Attorneys In Chicago Ask: What About Pets?
Man’s best friend needs a plan for when you’re gone too. If you have pets and want to make sure they’re taken care of after you’re gone, have estate attorneys in Chicago put in a provision for them. You can decide who’s going to care for these pets and even leave funds available for their care.
Estate Attorneys In Chicago Ask: What About Health Care?
Lastly, decide what you want to do in case that you’re left in a vegetative state. Do you want life-sustaining measures taken or do you want ventilators and feeding tubes turned off? Don’t rely on your family members to make these decisions for you, especially if you haven’t made your wishes fully clear. When you spell them out in a health care directive, there will be no question as to what your wishes are.
If you’re in the beginning stages of the estate planning process, these are just a few of the many hard questions estate attorneys in Chicago will ask. Before you meet with one, think about your wishes and how you want your affairs handled after you’re gone.
To meet with professional and qualified estate attorneys in Chicago from Peck Ritchey, please call us at (312) 201-0900.