Trouble locating a will, trust or other legal document when a loved one dies
Author: Bonnie Lawston, Will Registry,Inc.
Through dementia or lack of foresight, family members may fail to tell loved ones where they put wills, trusts and estate planning documents. When such individuals die or become incapacitated, families are saddled with a dilemma. The inability to locate valuable documents happens more frequently than you might imagine, about 50% of the time. Even when family members know a will exists, they may not know which attorney drafted it. Depending on an attorney for a copy may prove unreliable due to unforeseen circumstances such as fires or natural disasters that destroy hard copies.
The main tragedy of losing documents is that no one can carry out the loved one’s wishes. An incapacitated loved one may not receive the planned end-of-life care outlined by a living will or advance healthcare directive. Intended guardians for minor children may never receive appointments or fulfill their roles. Beneficiaries may not acquire their deserved inheritances. Also, the time and money invested in drafting legal documents becomes a waste if the document cannot be located.
Advanced technology offers a viable solution
New York estate planning attorney, Bonnie Lawston encountered the problem of lost documents frequently in her practice. When teaming up with a technology savvy partner, Cindy LeClaire of Web Perseverance, an idea was born, called Will Registry, Inc.
Will Registry is a secure centralized online database that saves contact information and preserves scanned copies of legal documents, which are retrievable 24/7. Today, individuals can make Will Registry an integral part of their estate planning. The database allows authorized medical professionals or agents anywhere in the world to retrieve a living will or durable power of attorney. In a world gone digital, caregivers, executors of wills and trustees can easily locate valuable documents.
Our New York offices are located on Long Island, in Suffolk County. Call toll free 877-581-8498 or contact us online today.