Too many people assume that they are on the same page with other members of their family when it comes to estate planning and planning for the care of minor children or children with special needs. However, this is not always the case.

One of the first things a family should do when preparing an estate plan is to sit down together and talk about it. Make sure that everyone’s wishes are known before you make an appointment with an attorney to draft your estate plan. Failure to do so could result in some surprises, some of which may be realized for the first time in your lawyer’s office. Avoid uncomfortable and unnecessary disputes by being open from the beginning with your loved ones about your intentions.