Estate planning in uncertain times: the value of planning ahead
Recent world events have reminded us that stability can be disrupted without warning. In the face of conflict or geopolitical change, the greatest protection we can give our family is not material but legal.
Planning your estate today is the only way to make sure that, whatever happens in the future, your decisions are respected and your assets do not become frozen.
Key points
- Lasting powers of attorney: the key to your assets. A well-drafted notarial power of attorney allows someone you trust to manage your assets if you cannot do so yourself (because you are away or incapacitated). It is the difference between assets that keep working and assets that are frozen.
- Wills with an international outlook. If you own assets in different countries, it is vital that your will specifies the applicable law, so that your heirs are not caught in legal limbo abroad.
- Keeping your legacy safe. We recommend creating a “safe file” with all your succession documents, insurance policies and access codes, available to your executors wherever they are in the world. It should include:
- Authorised copies of your wills and powers of attorney.
- Detailed information on insurance policies and financial assets.
- Access protocols for your heirs, wherever they are.
Conclusion: peace of mind comes from foresight. Acting today is the only way to ensure that your family’s future depends not on external circumstances, but on your own wishes, organised in advance.
