How many seniors in South Bend and the state as a whole are participating in estate planning?
Most Americans understand the theoretical value of estate planning but find numerous excuses to avoid doing it themselves, often forcing local courts to determine who gets what when a senior passes away. The Internal Revenue Service (or IRS) tracks how many people file trusts in each state, and here are the results for Indiana:
These numbers are far lower than the state’s population, meaning that many adults aren’t participating in estate planning. It might get awkward if you tried to help your senior write a will when you might be among their heirs, so why not set them up with an experienced estate planning attorney in South Bend instead?
What is the average price of making a will or trust in South Bend?
Many people assume that preparing a will is expensive. Affordability is a common reason that seniors cite to avoid working with an estate planning attorney in Elkhart, but preparing a will can be more affordable than you or your loved one might expect. Investopedia provides a range of prices for estate planning services below:
The cost of getting a will in place
- The minimum cost of drawing up a will ranges from $150 to $600
- The average cost of a will is $375
- Do-it-yourself templates can cost as little as $10
The price of estate planning services in South Bend partially depends on the complexity of the estate in question, so your loved one may end up paying more than the estimates above. Still, the cost of estate planning pales in comparison to the peace of mind seniors get from knowing that their final wishes will be executed according to their specifications.
How to choose the best estate planning attorney in South Bend
Choosing a South Bend estate planning attorney requires a complete understanding of your loved one’s needs. If your senior has a portfolio with a lot of real estate, you want an attorney who understands the particulars of that market. It’s also important for your loved one’s personality to mesh with the estate planning attorney in Elkhart you choose. The best way to do that is to set up a face-to-face interview to make sure that your older adult gets along well with their prospective lawyer and won’t hesitate to contact them to make any changes to their plans. Of course, you should always verify a lawyer’s licensure before hiring them for any purpose. Our comprehensive guide to choosing an estate planning attorney includes additional information on how to choose a great lawyer, so please read it over before beginning your research.
Estate planning solutions for South Bend seniors
Some see estate planning as an admission that the end is near and put it off because they’re afraid of dying or don’t want to lose the senior in their life. This is understandable, but the result is often a trip to probate court that leaves everyone unsatisfied. Finding a South Bend estate planning attorney for your loved one is a far better option because it allows your senior to dictate what they want to happen. Seasons makes it easy to find an estate planning lawyer in South Bend, so please use our free resources to get started today.