At our law office, we proudly support veterans and their families by offering discounts on their first services. We understand the nuances of dealing with military benefits, civilian pay and the other special circumstances veterans face with estate planning. With Veterans Day approaching, now is an ideal time to start or update your estate plan to protect your legacy and provide peace of mind for your loved ones.
Why Estate Planning is Essential for Veterans
For veterans, one of the most important aspects of estate planning is preserving military benefits for your family, especially dependents and surviving spouses. Without a clear plan laid out, your heirs may have to deal with an extensive probate process, including potential legal complications. By creating a plan while you’re healthy, you ensure your wishes will be honored regarding medical care and asset distribution when the time comes.
Unique Estate Planning Considerations for Veterans
Military service members receive benefits that need to be handled with care, especially during the estate planning process. This includes VA benefits, which a solid estate plan can help you maximize. Integrating military pensions and survivor benefits into the plan is another essential step. Throughout this process, an experienced estate attorney can help you navigate both federal and state laws that affect veterans.
Core Documents Every Veteran Needs
Veterans should focus on the following types of documents in estate planning:
- Last Will and Testament
- Financial and Medical Powers of Attorney
- Advance Healthcare Directive (also known as Living Will)
- Designation of Beneficiaries for military and civilian assets
While not every veteran becomes disabled, the rate of long-term disability in those who served is significantly higher than in the civilian population. This becomes important in estate planning because advance directives, such as a living will and powers of attorney, are more relevant to people with disabilities. Regardless of their level of ability, these documents will help the veteran secure their legacies and ensure that everything is properly managed within their estates.
How Eastham Law Offices Supports Veterans
As a thank you for your service, veterans who work with Eastham Law Offices receive a discounted first service. We offer personalized estate planning tailored to veterans’ unique needs based on decades of estate law experience. This includes assistance with VA benefits, survivor benefits and legacy planning.
If you or a loved one served in the military, secure your future with peace of mind. Call us at 561-395-6800 or fill out our online contact form to claim your discounted first service and schedule your initial estate planning consultation.
This blog is for informational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.