The loss of a spouse is one of the most emotional experiences you will probably have to go through over the course of your life. The last thing you may wish to think about while you are grieving the loss of a spouse is something as seemingly mundane as updating your estate plan. Failing to do so, however, could lead to some unintended and unwanted consequences. A Phoenix estate planning lawyer at Morris Hall PLLC discusses the importance of reviewing your estate plan after the loss of a spouse.
What Needs to Be Reviewed after the Loss of a Spouse?
Although no two situations are the same, there are some common estate planning components that typically need to be reviewed following the loss of a spouse, including:
- For most people, a Last Will and Testament serves as the foundation of their estate plan. When a spouse passes away, you will need to remove your spouse as a beneficiary under the provisions of your Will. You may also need to remove him/her as the Executor of your estate and appoint someone new to the position. Your current Will should include language that accounts for the possibility of a beneficiary predeceasing you; however, knowing that you will be the last spouse to die may change how you want your estate distributed. Your spouse probably left you significant assets which changes the make-up of your estate assets. Your Will may also already have language appointing someone else as your Executor if your spouse cannot serve; however, you now need to decide if that successor remains your first choice and, if so, who should be your replacement successor.
- A trust is a very popular addition to the average estate plan. If your plan includes a trust, and you appointed your spouse to be the Trustee of the trust, you may need to amend the trust agreement to appoint a new Trustee. Again, your trust agreement should anticipate the possibility of the need for a successor Trustee; however, it still warrants a review. More importantly, the purpose for the trust should be reviewed considering your spouse’s death. Assets may need to be added to the trust. Terms may need to be updated. You may even find that the need for the trust no longer exists.
- Your spouse is also likely the primary beneficiary of your life insurance policies. Start by reviewing the continuing need for the insurance given the recent passing of your spouse. If you decide to retain the insurance, review, and update beneficiaries.
- If you have an advance directive in place, you probably named your spouse as your Agent, giving him/her the legal authority to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make them at some point. This is not a document that you want to terminate; however, you will need to spend some time deciding who you wish to appoint as your Agent now that your spouse is gone.
- If you have a comprehensive incapacity plan in place, a Power of Attorney may be part of that plan. If you do not yet have one in place, it is crucial that you create one considering your spouse’s death. If you named your spouse as your Agent under a POA, that agency authority automatically terminated upon the death of your spouse. You may, however, wish to execute a new durable POA that names an adult child or someone else as your Agent so that someone has the ability to manage your assets in the event you become incapacitated. With your spouse gone, it is considerably less certain who would have the legal right to step in and make decisions and/or control your assets. That, in turn, increases the likelihood of a contentious court battle between adult children or other family members if you ever do become incapacitated. Executing a new durable POA is one way to avoid the likelihood of litigation.
Contact Our Phoenix Estate Planning Lawyers
For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar. If you have additional questions or concerns reviewing your estate plan after the loss of a spouse, contact one of our experienced Phoenix estate planning lawyers at Morris Hall PLLC by calling 888-222-1328 to schedule your appointment today.
At Morris Hall, we have focused our legal practice on estate planning for over 50 years. Along with estate planning, our attorneys help clients and their families with matters of probate, trust administration, wills, powers of attorney, business planning, succession planning, legacy planning, charitable gifting, and other important legal aspects. Our Arizona offices are located in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tucson, Prescott, Flagstaff and Arrowhead. Contact us today at 888.222.1328 to schedule an appointment!
This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.
This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.
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