别等“来不及”再写遗产规划文件 Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late: Why You Should Start Your Estate Planning Early

很多人都知道遗产规划（estate planning）很重要，但总会不自觉地把它往后拖。原因很简单：它既重要，又不紧急。我们往往愿意花时间去处理眼前的事务，却很少停下来，为未来的不可预知做好安排。

Many people understand that estate planning is important, yet it often ends up being postponed. The reason is simple: it’s important but not urgent. We tend to focus on immediate tasks and delay preparing for the future — until it’s too late.

【问题解析 Why People Delay Estate Planning】

在熙承律师事务所，我们常常遇到这样的情况：客户几年前来咨询过，后来因为忙碌、犹豫或觉得“以后再说”，就一直拖延。直到身体出现问题、家人催促、或身边有人突然离世，才匆忙开始办理。

这种拖延带来的问题不仅仅是心理负担，更可能在关键时刻导致严重后果：

• 身体状况恶化时再处理文件，过程既痛苦又困难；

• 临时安排可能缺乏周全考量，留下法律与税务隐患；

• 若意外发生，没有任何文件在手，家人将面临繁琐的法院程序与不必要的开支。

At The Shi Law Group, we often see clients who came for an initial consultation years ago but never completed their planning. Life gets busy, or the task feels emotionally heavy, so they delay — until an illness or unexpected event forces them to act. Unfortunately, by then, it’s often under stressful or painful circumstances.

【解决方案 Practical Approach: Start Early, Stay Prepared】

其实，最理想的做法是：趁健康、清醒、有时间时，尽早完成规划。这样不仅能冷静思考每一个决定，也能在家庭关系、资产结构或法律变化时，随时更新。

Practical advice is simple: start early, while you’re healthy and clear-minded. Early planning allows you to make thoughtful decisions and gives you flexibility to update your plan as your family, assets, or laws change.

我们建议客户：

• 在结婚、生子、购房等重大人生阶段及时更新文件；

• 与专业律师沟通，确保文件内容符合法律与税务要求；

• 不要害怕调整——规划文件应随人生变化而进化。

We encourage clients to:

• Review and update documents during major life events;

• Consult a professional to ensure your documents remain valid and effective;

• Treat estate planning as an ongoing process, not a one-time task.

【风险提醒 What Happens If You Wait Too Long】

我们曾经遇到一些客户在病重期间才来做文件，他们不仅要忍受身体不适，还要同时面对法律与情感上的压力。也有一些家庭，因为突发事件，来不及签署任何文件，结果陷入漫长的遗产程序。

Waiting too long can be emotionally and physically draining — for you and your loved ones. Some clients come to us only after being diagnosed with a serious illness, making the process emotionally and logistically difficult. In other cases, families lose the chance to plan at all, leaving loved ones struggling through court processes.

【律所小贴士 The Shi Law Group Tip】

遗产规划的本质，不只是写几份文件，而是为自己和家人建立一个安全的、长期的保护网。最好的规划，总是在你仍然有余裕的时候完成。

Estate planning is not just about drafting documents — it’s about building long-term peace of mind for your family. The best time to plan is when you don’t feel rushed.

【联系我们 Contact Us】

熙承律师事务所专注于家庭财富传承、遗产规划、信托、遗嘱、婚前协议与跨境资产规划等。我们为纽约州和新泽西州的华人家庭提供专业、细致且富有关怀的法律服务。若您在结婚、离婚或同居安排上有疑问，欢迎随时联系我们进行咨询与规划。

The Shi Law Group, PLLC focuses on family wealth transfer, estate planning, trusts, wills, prenuptial agreements, and cross-border asset planning. We provide professional, attentive, and compassionate legal services to Chinese families in New York and New Jersey. If you have questions about marriage, divorce, or cohabitation planning, please contact us for consultation.

📧 邮箱 Email: info@mshilaw.com

📞 电话 Phone: +1 (917) 720-6943

🏢 地址 Address: 500 Old Country Rd, Suite 302, Garden City, NY 11530

如需预约咨询，请通过电话、电子邮件或在我们网站上提交预约请求。我们将安排有相关经验的律师与您沟通。

To schedule a consultation, contact us by phone, email, or book through our website. We will arrange for an experienced attorney to speak with you.