As an estate planning attorney, I spend my time helping my clients stay out of court.
We value privacy, confidentiality and self-determination. Making one’s estate plan is one of our country’s most valued opportunities to exercise personal freedom of choice. The alternative is letting the court decide through guardianship, conservatorship, probate, district, circuit, federal or other administrative forums. The court should, in my opinion, always be the last resort.
It does take time, energy and courage to face our mortality; however, I encourage each and every one of you to take this precious opportunity to exercise this unique privilege afforded by our country to make your own decisions with regard what happens with your assets when you are not here. Here are some differences between making your own estate plan and relying on court:
| Good Estate Plan | In Court |
|---|---|
| Collaborative | Conflict-driven |
| Relationship preservation | Divisive |
| Private with dignity | Public |
| Control | Loss of control |
| Time-sensitive | Time-consuming |
| Cost-sensitive | Costly |
| Emotionally satisfying | Emotionally draining |
| Value-driven and process-oriented | Procedural-driven |
Take the opportunity to carefully determine how you would like to be cared for all the way through the end of your life.
STEPHEN B. YIM, Attorney at Law
2054 S. Beretania St., Honolulu HI 96826
808-524-0251 | stephenyimestateplanning.com
