The Importance of Your Last Words

March 3, 2022    |    Sage Capone

Death can come in many forms; suddenly or drawn out battling an illness. If we know one thing, life is unpredictable. Same can be said with how your loved ones handle your remaining assets. Unfortunately, being in the business of estate planning for the last twenty-five years, there is one thing and one thing only that heirs are most interested in is “what do I get?”

Your last words or wishes are the most important thing you can do while you are alive. It gives you a voice upon your passing. I cannot stress how important this is. My strongest advice for all my clients is to create an Estate Plan while you are alive. The misconception is you need to wait until you are elderly, but more and more young couples are buying homes and creating their wealth. That being said, now is the time to start the talk and put everything writing.

Hollywood glamourized this very situation in the movie “Sex in the City.” Upon the death of Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) she reads upon her husband’s passing that 1 million goes to his ex-wife at his passing. How is this possible? Many times, people inadvertently leave money to an ex-spouse due to failing to update their beneficiary designations in their trust, pensions and bank accounts.

To ensure your wishes are carried out the way you want them to be, enlisting the right professional is key. The most important thing an independent professional brings is objectivity. At Estate Planning Consultants of Hawaii, we will guide you in implementing a plan that will protect your expenses from attaching to your assets. Are office is based in Honolulu, Hawaii and we work with local attorneys to take control of your intentions versus the court system deciding your fate.