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You may still be relatively vigorous, or you may be getting on in years and young and nearing retirement. No matter your age or physical condition, you never know when illness or accident might incapacitate or kill you. If you have accumulated the kinds of assets discussed above, then you should sit down with a lawyer and start developing an estate plan.

If you already have a lawyer that you consider a confidant, then you should speak with them about your desire to put an estate plan in place. Such legal documents should be drawn up by a specialist, and your family counsel can help you choose one.

They will also draw up a will , trusts, and powers of attorney. Issues involving a second marriage, multiple businesses, multi-state and multi-nation real estate holdings, step children, problem children, charity bequests, IRAs and 401(k)s, and estate taxes can all be sorted through with the help of a qualified estate planning attorney.