Health&Wellness Magazine August 2014 | Page 46

46 & August 2014 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net | Like us @healthykentucky Your Three Options in Estate Planning by Walter C. Cox, Jr. Attorney Throughout our lives, we’ve made many choices and have had many options to choose from. Should we buy a house or shouldn’t we? If so, where? What size? What extras? What can we afford? Etc. Should we buy a car or shouldn’t we? If so, what brand, model, color, extras, etc.? I’m sure you get the idea. I am an Estate Planning Attorney and Estate Planning is the one exception to everything we’ve done so far in our lives. First, there is no choice as to whether or not Estate Planning is needed. That choice has been made for us by the Almighty. Second, our options are not limitless as they were when we bought a house, car or all sorts of material things. In Estate Planning, there are only three options. Option #1: Do Nothing. This means you’ve decided to let the state dictate to your heirs through the statutory will of Kentucky. This option will cost the most dollars, take the most time, and be the most agonizing for your heirs. Option #2: Have a Will. This option seems benign enough for many folks. It’s inexpensive to set up, it names your representative and it decides how your estate will be divided after probate. These are all positive things. However, there are four negative things about just having H