With the clocks springing ahead on March 13th, Charlotte estate planning lawyer Sabrina Winters is providing free smoke detectors to area residents during the week of March 14, 2011.
Winters is also reminding residents to check and update their estate plans when turning the clock ahead for daylight savings time.
“We’re all reminded to check our batteries and replace faulty smoke detectors when turning the clock ahead, but it’s just as critical to check your estate plan so your family stays fully protected if the unthinkable occurs,” says Winters.
When checking on the “functionality” of your
estate plan, Winters advises residents to look for the following:
Outdated beneficiary designations- An immediate update to your plan is necessary if you are no longer happy with the beneficiaries you’ve named to inherit your estate. You may also need to update your plan to reflect a birth, death, marriage or divorce. This will ensure your wishes are carried out and no one is unintentionally disinherited upon your passing.
Guardianship Nominations- Are the guardians you’ve chosen to care for your minor children still a good fit for your family? Or have circumstances changed where you need to put new guardians in place? If after careful consideration you are no longer happy with your choice of short or long-term guardians, update them accordingly.
Inventory of Assets- During your yearly estate plan review, it’s important to take stock of all new assets (including real property, cars, investments, insurance policies, etc) and make sure they are accounted for in your plan. Likewise, if you have a trust, double check to make sure your assets are properly owned in the name of that trust.
Financial and Health Care Agents- Determine whether you are still happy with the people you’ve nominated to make decisions on your behalf if short or long-term incapacity occurred. Additionally, if your end of life wishes or medical preferences have changed, make sure they are put in writing and clearly communicated to your agent of choice.
Charlotte area residents can claim their free smoke detector by visiting Sabrina Winters, Attorney at Law, PLLC located at 15720 John J. Delaney Drive, Suite 300, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Winters is a wife, a mom, a business owner and the Senior Attorney at Sabrina Winters, Attorney at Law, PLLC, an Estate Planning and Probate law firm located in the beautiful Ballantyne area of Charlotte, North Carolina. Winters has been assisting clients in all areas of Estate Planning for over a decade. Close to her heart has always been assisting families with children. Some of her services include: Wills, Trusts, Probate, Tax Planning, Planning for Children and Succession Planning for business owner.
About Lawyer Central
Lawyer Central Network is a nationwide network of attorneys using technology to increase their individual exposure.
Lawyer Central is emerging as a leading public relations and mixed media marketing organization for fast-growing law firms and forward-thinking attorneys. Lawyer Central membership includes access to cutting edge technology, as well as various types of media exposure ranging from practice area videos and in depth interviews to complete public relations and internet relations management.
