{"id":2740,"date":"2023-05-15T09:40:57","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T09:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alcleanscarpet.site\/Weatherby\/2023\/05\/15\/do-it-yourself-estate-planning-can-be-hazardous-to-your-loved-ones\/"},"modified":"2023-06-08T05:16:29","modified_gmt":"2023-06-08T05:16:29","slug":"do-it-yourself-estate-planning-can-be-hazardous-to-your-loved-ones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alcleanscarpet.site\/Weatherby\/do-it-yourself-estate-planning-can-be-hazardous-to-your-loved-ones\/","title":{"rendered":"Do it Yourself Estate Planning Can Be Hazardous to Your Loved Ones"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes people consider estate planning to be a fairly simple thing to do themselves without the need to consult an attorney.\u00a0 After all, estate planning documents are merely paper, right?<\/p>\n

Well, although estate planning documents are indeed merely paper with printed words, there is an important thought process behind what should or should not be included in a will or a trust or a power of attorney. \u00a0Unfortunately, the layman is almost always poorly equipped to try to emulate that process and will generally be unaware of the problems that can arise when a \u201cdo it yourself\u201d legal document omits important provisions.\u00a0 The case of Aldrich v. Basile <\/span>(Fla., No. SC11-2147, March 27, 2014) from the Florida Supreme Court is an example of how \u201cdo it yourself\u201d planning in the end achieved undesirable results.<\/p>\n

In 2004, Ann Aldrich wrote out a will using a preprinted product sold commercially as an \u201cE-Z Legal Form.\u201d\u00a0 As per the instructions she was provided, she handwrote in some instructions to direct that \u201cmy property be bequeathed in the manner following\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Her instructions directed that her sister was to receive the five (5) specific assets she listed and she further clarified that in the event her sister predeceased her, \u201cI leave all listed\u201d to her brother.\u00a0 There were no other instructions in the Will about distribution of those assets either preprinted on the form or handwritten by Ms. Aldrich herself.<\/p>\n

Three years after Ms. Aldrich executed her E-Z Legal Form Will, her sister did predecease her and Ms. Aldrich inherited a parcel of land and some $122,000 in cash.\u00a0 Ms. Aldrich never revised her will, which remained unchanged until Ms. Aldrich herself passed away in 2009.<\/p>\n

The ensuing litigation considered different claims on the disposition of the assets Ms. Aldrich inherited from her sister.\u00a0 On one side was Ms. Aldrich\u2019s brother, who argued that since he and his late sister were the only individuals mentioned by name in the instrument, it would be reasonable for the Court to infer Ms. Aldrich intended him to receive her entire estate.\u00a0 In opposition were the children of a predeceased brother.\u00a0 Those nieces apparently agreed that the surviving brother was entitled to receive the specifically listed assets, but they maintained that Ms. Aldrich should be considered intestate as to the other assets since the Will contained no instructions whatsoever on how they should be distributed.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, when Ms. Aldrich died, there was a handwritten note she attached to her Will.\u00a0 The note said that she intended it to be an addendum to her 2004 Will.\u00a0 She acknowledged her sister had predeceased her and then she stated \u201cI reiterate that all my worldly possessions pass to my brother\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately the Court sided with the nieces.\u00a0 Relying on firmly established legal doctrine that they could only infer intent based on the \u201cfour corners of the document,\u201d that is what was actually included in the Will, there was nothing to sustain the argument of the brother.\u00a0 Since the later handwritten note was not even signed by Ms. Aldrich, the note was disregarded.<\/p>\n

What can we learn from the Aldrich case?\u00a0 In the end Ms. Aldrich\u2019s \u201cdo it yourself\u201d efforts resulted in a failed plan that cost many times more than the advice and counsel of an experienced estate planning attorney would have cost in the beginning.\u00a0 To us as advisors and counselors, it seems obvious that a properly drafted Will must always include a provision to deal with the distribution of all assets.\u00a0 Further, we have spent 20 years developing systems, processes and staff members to work with our clients to try and make sure that every estate plan works – even under changed circumstances such as the inheritance of new assets.<\/p>\n

Yet clearly that is not true for a forms company that only sells paper, not thoughtful counsel.\u00a0 Had Ms. Aldrich consulted an experienced estate planning attorney who advised her on the issues, a properly drafted Will could have been prepared and executed so that \u00a0Ms. Aldrich\u2019s assets would have been distributed as she intended.\u00a0 This would have allowed her Estate and her loved ones to avoid the expense and anguish of litigation.<\/p>\n

Please call us at 860-769-6938 if you have any questions about the issues presented above or if you care to discuss any other planning issues with us.<\/em><\/p>\n

https:\/\/weatherby-associates.com\/estate-planning-can-hazardous-loved-ones<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sometimes people consider estate planning to be a fairly simple thing to do themselves without the need to consult an attorney.\u00a0 After all, estate planning documents are merely paper, right? 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