Valentine’s Day is celebrated for myriad reasons. For many married couples, the holiday represents a reinvigoration of love, romance, and courtship. While all those virtues are worth celebrating, there’s a fourth virtue you and your spouse should consider this Valentine’s Day: commitment. After all, you’ve vowed to be each other’s soulmates for the rest of your lives– if that doesn’t require commitment, then what does? One of the best ways to show your husband or wife that you’re fully committed is get your estate planning documents drafted together.

Taking the time to create estate planning documents is a duty that every responsible partner should take on eventually. Here’s why: Without the required legal paperwork in place after your passing, your surviving spouse will be subject to a lengthy, complicated probate process that will be more expensive than what it would have cost you to draft a will. Hence, getting your estate planning taken care of will show your spouse that you’re committed to them even after death does you part.

Getting your estate planning finalized will also affect your spouse’s wellbeing should you ever get involved in a critical accident or become terminally ill. Drafting your Medical Power of Attorney and Directive to Physicians documents will determine which decisions are made on your behalf should you ever end up in an incapacitated condition. Under such circumstances, some people prefer to be kept alive by medical machinery for as long as possible, while others prefer to pass away naturally. Whatever your personal preference may be, documenting that preference will spare your spouse the emotional pain of having to make such difficult decisions on your behalf.

So, this Valentine’s Day, think outside the box of chocolates. Instead, take your spousal commitment to another level by organizing your estate together. After all, chocolates go bad and roses eventually wilt. Estate Planning, however, is the Valentine’s Day gift that lasts a lifetime.

If you’re interested in giving the ultimate gift this Valentine’s Day, call the Law Office of Kara Borchers Jones at (512) 337-5030 to schedule your consultation.