I previously suggested that there has been a massive rise in demand
for wills and estate planning from people worried about COVID-19, as the
awareness of mortality amid a pandemic increases.
Our specialist consultant, an estate
planning expert, Dr Mervin Messias, urges you to immediately put your affairs
in order.
He is prepared to have an e-meeting with
you – without charge – to assess your unique estate planning needs. Planning for your estate is not a cookie cutter
exercise (not one size fits all). Dr Messias will help you understand the estate
planning process, for without understanding there can be no comfort.
While you are still capable, he will assist
you to put together all the estate planning documents you need, such as a will,
a living will, a power of attorney, and living trust, depending on your exclusive
requirements.
Especially
in these uncertain times, don’t ask: “Why do today what I can put off until
tomorrow?” In estate planning, tomorrow
may instantly become today. None of us
can predict the timing of our own deaths with certainty. Death sneaks up on most of us and respects no
time parameters. Statistically, there
may be a tomorrow, but don’t plan on it!
Planning now is mandatory.
Almost everything can be achieved
remotely while we are under lockdown. It is time
to be proactive. Estate planning is a process that begins within your life and
can continue far after death. It is not
unique or indigenous to any economic class. How often we have heard. “Estate
planning for me? Heavens, I don’t need
an estate plan! I have so little.” Really?
No loved ones, no disposition towards a favourite family member, close
friend, or institution (charitable or otherwise)? No insurance, property or insurance
plan? No personal possessions, mementos,
or family heirlooms that require a loving pass-on? No debts?
These are some of the issues he will chat to you
about:
·
Estate planning involves people: spouses,
children, grandchildren, favourite family members and close friends; their
security and prosperity without you. It is taxes: income, death and gift. It is lawyers, accountants, insurance people,
banks and financial planners. It is
society’s rules along with red tape and courts of law that accompany those
rules. It is a world of advisors busily
accomplishing things that most people do not understand. It is time and money!
·
Estate planning involves creating and
maintaining a lifestyle for you and your family while you are alive and for
your loved ones after your death. It
involves the sacrifice of Rands to purchase life insurance or to invest in a
portfolio, in lieu of personal indulgences, with the sincere belief that you
are creating security for you and your loved ones.
He always asks our clients, “What do you want done
with your property and insurance after you’re gone?” The responses have been different, but they
all contained thoughts that could be summarised as follows:
“I would like to give my property to whom I want, in
precisely the way I want. Further, I
wish my beneficiaries to receive my property when I wish them to receive
it. But and this is very important to
me, I want to save every last tax rand in accomplishing my objectives. Oh yes, I also want to avoid, or at least
reduce, attorneys’ fees and court costs.
Finally, I don’t want myself or my family involved in a lot of red tape
that prevents my objectives from being accomplished quickly.”
If you
want Dr Messias to contact you, please email info@bmalaw.co.za and
we’ll set up the free chat or e-meeting.
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