Psychology Today recently reported that 55% of Americans are worried, stressed, and angry. We are second only to Greece in the world rankings related to stress. The American Psychiatric Association reported that compared to last year, 39% of Americans are more anxious than they were last year related to their safety, finances, health, and politics. Many people are experiencing fear, worry, and anxiety over what to do, how to protect themselves, and what course of action to take in our chaotic world. How people are feeling about the world is very similar to what your family will experience upon your disability or death if you have not prepared an effective estate plan.

Your family won’t know what to expect when you become disabled, or upon your death. They won’t be prepared for what to do next, and what steps need to be taken to protect themselves. They will worry about what you would want them to do, and if they are taking the right steps and doing the right things. 

Disability and death are emotionally charged events. Anxiety runs high and old conflicts and hurts resurface. When people fail to put proper planning in place this anxiety and emotion can become heated battles, and relationships are destroyed as they fight over what they should do, or what you would want them to do.  As a result, family members may never speak to each other again.

Failing to plan also significantly increases the financial burden adding to the fear, worry and anxiety your family will face.

There are steps you can take to plan for your disability and death, which will greatly reduce the fear, worry, and anxiety for your family but you must invest the time, effort, and money to take those steps.

If you have questions about the estate planning process, I encourage you to educate yourself about the subject. If you would like to learn more, visit: www.EstatePlansThatWork.com to sign up for a complimentary educational workshop.