Perhaps you have a pretty good idea to whom you would want your estate to eventually pass. However, do you have any specific assets that you would prefer to earmark for someone in particular? For example, should an adult child who has worked with you in the family business inherit that business instead of his or her siblings who pursued other career paths? Maybe you have some farmland that has been in your family for generations. Some of your children would rather convert the trees, creek and fishing pond into cash for expensive houses, fast automobiles and exotic vacations, while one child would like to keep it in the family for future generations to enjoy. What about familiy heirlooms? Is there someone in your family (or outside your family) for whom that ceramic frog collection would be a treasured reminder of your relationship? You get the point. By the way, if you choose to make specific bequests, there are some creative ways to make sure everyone falls into line with your wishes… even happily!

Do you have any friends with feathers, fins or fur who rely on you for food, shelter and companionship? If yes, what would happen to them without you? The law allows you to make arrangements for their lifetime care, with any funds remaining designated to pass to the people and/or charities of your choosing.

Do you have a special retreat, a vacation home, where you and your family have made many wonderful memories over the years? If yes, when you are no longer around to enjoy the property, would you want it to continue in the family? Depending on your unique circumstances, the planning opportunities are limited only by your desires and creativity. Perhaps you want to grant a right of first refusal among your children to purchase the property before it is offered for sale to a third party? On the other hand, you may want to create an arrangement to keep the property in the family for multiple generations and provide for maintenance, taxes and insurance?