Here’s something that estate planning attorneys hear a lot: “My husband (or wife) and I are getting a divorce.  We’re separated right now, but I want to make sure my things (assets) go where I want them to go if I die before the divorce is finalized.”  Well, the quotes might be a little too precise, but you get the idea, which is that people without adequate life and estate planning in place face challenges while “in the process” of getting divorced.

Preparing for that which may never happen

We are not advocating that you put an estate plan in place in case you ever want to get divorced.  What we are saying, however, is that if an unforeseen set of events causes a breakup of your marriage, you will be very vulnerable until the divorce proceedings are legally finalized.

Okay, okay . . . we talk about a lot of depressing subjects like death and divorce, it’s true.  But what we are trying to do is help you understand that a properly formed estate plan can take the worry out of life’s unfortunate and, in some cases, inevitable events.  That will give you the peace of mind and clarity to make really good choices and make the most of the time we’ve borrowed from the universe.

Typical divorce scenario

A very typical scenario that we see is a customer who is “in the process” of getting divorced but concerned about the ramifications of dying or becoming very ill before the divorce is finalized.

The consequences of death, or a severe illness that leaves an undivorced person incapable of making important decisions, are that many of the cards will be held by your soon-to-be former spouse.  That won’t change until you take the time to develop an estate plan that fully omits your future ex from your estate, if that is your desire.  If you already have a plan in place, the process is relatively straightforward and painless.  If you don’t have a plan in place, you will burn valuable time making a multitude of decisions before a plan can be developed and implemented for you.

Of course, a lot depends on the state where you live, because in some jurisdictions laws entitle your spouse to certain rights up until the time the divorce is finalized.  Homestead laws in some states serve as an example.  In other states, before there has been a clear division of community property (and a waiver of rights), a soon-to-be ex can exert a lot of influence over your estate.

If you know a divorce is coming and don’t have a plan

Contact us right away.  If you are going to have an amicable separation and divorce, there is a lot that can be done for spouses to separate and waive their interests in property.  It happens more often than you might think.  One thing that you absolutely need to make a priority is creating or tweaking your power of attorney, medical directive, and living will.  If you’re getting a divorce, there’s a good chance that you’ll want someone else to make decisions in the event of your incapacity.  You’ll also need to change some fundamental aspects of your last will.  For example, you’ll probably want to designate a new executor.

We hope you’re not planning to get divorced.  There are infinite reasons to put an estate plan in place without ever considering the big D, but peace of mind if that day comes (and it does happen to a lot of marriages) is just one more reason to get a plan in place now so that it’s easier to modify in the event you realize divorce is inevitable.  Contact our offices today to schedule your Family Wealth Planning Session.  We will be more than happy to meet with you and discuss your needs, no matter what your reasons for engaging in the planning process.

Have you ever wondered what would happen to all of the pictures and precious memories stored on your Twitter or Facebook pages after you die?

It’s certainly different than having loved ones sort through your old keepsake boxes in the attic and taking what they want after you are gone. When it comes to social networking sites (and even your private email accounts), loved ones will have a few more hurdles to gain control of your “digital assets” if the unthinkable happens.

For starters, they’ll need to know exactly what sites you belong to and how to access them. If your family doesn’t know that you have a private email account or pictures hosted on a Flikr account, chances are these memories will remain lost in cyberspace after you are gone.

Second, they’ll need your username and password in order to gain access to your accounts. Without this information, the family can only request that sites such as Facebook or Twitter “memorialize” your pages, which means they remain open for loved ones to post on but will not appear in “friend suggestions” or in the public search.

Finally, they’ll need instructions. What should your loved ones do with such digital assets? Who should be the beneficiary of these accounts? Are there any portions of your “online life” that you want to remain private and restrictively shared? You should outline your wishes about your “digital assets” the same way you would with any other account to ensure they are honored if the unthinkable happens.

An easy way to make sure this happens is to include your instructions about digital assets in your will or trust. This will provide your family with a clear and binding outline of your wishes—especially if you have privacy concerns or very specific actions your loved ones should take after you are gone.

If you already have a will or trust, just call your Newport Beach estate planning attorney and ask to make an update. If you don’t yet have an estate plan, you can easily have one created with your “digital assets” in mind. Either way, take some time this week and make a plan for your precious memories to ensure they are preserved when you die.