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They find it insulting to discuss plans after death when the person involved is very much alive and enjoying it.
But in Alabama, where almost everyone is practical enough to prepare not just for their future but for the future of their children, discussing plans after death is normal.
In fact, it is considered a practical way of securing your family's future.
It is estate planning.
Estate planning is making a plan about how your properties and other investments will be managed after your death or in case you become incapacitated.
It includes making your will and testament, health care directives, powers of attorney and a lot more that involves the future of everything that you have worked hard for.
In estate planning, you will be allowed to make your will as soon as you reach the legal age of 18 and your mind is in the right condition to make good, reliable decisions about what you would like to happen with your properties and investments.
In a will you will be able to distribute your properties equally among your beneficiaries and you will also be able to assign an adult to serve as a guardian if you have beneficiaries who are not yet capable of making decisions for themselves.
Estate planning can help prevent possible conflicts between you and your family about the properties and investments that you may leave behind.
Your will can make it clear to them how you want everything to be when you leave.
Estate planning also gives you the health care security that you need in case you become incapacitated.
Through advanced health care directives, you will be able to appoint someone you trust to make decisions for you concerning your health.
This happens during instances when you may be in a coma or in a near-death situation.
This may also give you the chance to give directives about how your death should be handled from the time you take your last breath up until they take you to the final resting place.
Estate planning gives you the assurance that things turn out exactly the way you want them even on your last day.
Through Trusts, estate planning also gives you the chance to legally assign someone to take care of your properties and investments while your beneficiaries are not yet able to handle them.
This would assure you that your properties are protected from creditors, excessive taxes and many other threats.
Estate planning is not really such a bad thing to discuss especially within the family and with your family lawyer.
It is actually a more practical way of securing everything that you have worked hard for to secure your family's future.
It will save your loved ones from possible arguments when you leave them.
It is a good way of making sure that your family stays intact even after your death.
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