When your loved ones are informed about your estate plan in advance, those involved may be more likely to accept your wishes and cooperate during the administration, making the entire process more efficient. They will know who to contact and what to do. Being aware of the details reduces delays related to identifying your property and beneficiaries and allocating responsibilities. Your chosen decision-makers will already know their roles, which will minimize uncertainty and allow them to step in without hesitation.

Your loved ones will also have contact information for professionals, such as estate attorneys and financial advisors who may need to be involved.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to sharing information related to your estate plan. I’ll discuss some of the disadvantages in the coming weeks.