Much of my work is centered on helping clients protect their assets during their lifetimes.  But most people also want to make sure that their assets are protected after their deaths.

A recent article in the New York Times describes a very public fight among relatives of actor/comedian Robin Williams.  His widow and his children from prior marriages are fighting over money and personal belongings.  Mr. Williams obviously could afford excellent attorneys, and his estate planning documents may have been very well prepared.  Even so, you can never underestimate the possibility of family members disagreeing about things after your death.

This is simply a reminder that even with the help of excellent attorneys, devising and implementing an effective estate plan is still a challenge.  It is clearly worth the time and effort.  It is a blessing to surviving family members when things are spelled out as thoroughly as possible.  This not only helps family harmony (by avoiding unnecessary arguments), but can also save a lot of family money. 

Careful estate planning should be part of your asset protection planning.