Introduction to Religion and the Law

96% of people believe in G-d or a higher being yet there is barely any mention of religion in estate law. If religion is important to you, or to your family members your religious wishes (such as if you are Catholic and want last rights), should be expressly stated in your planning. Much family grief can be avoided by addressing these issues ahead of time. Religious issues can permeate much of legal planning. The following will address several areas in which religion can come up.

• Business Transactions- Judaism and Islam have specific rules of what can and cannot be done in terms of loans. You do not have to dismiss religious guidelines in order to follow modern legal principals. It is easy to integrate the two.
• Living Will and Health Care Proxy- Every religion has important end of life processes. For example, if you are a Buddhist and want conscience and aware right before death, make sure the people caring for you know.
• Wills and Estate Planning- Most religions have statements regarding charitable giving. You can accomplish many religious goals this way. Documents regarding other assets, such as trusts for heirs, can also relate to religion. For example, should the money be spent on religious education and upbringing, etc.
• Specific burial instructions. Do you want to be cremated, or have any burial specifications? Make sure to express your wishes. This will prevent fighting amongst your loved ones, and the arrangements can be paid for by your executor, so no one in your family fights about the money.

The above is a summary of a short presentation given by Martin Shenkman of Martin M. Shenkman P.C. For more free information on Trust and Estate Law, visit his website at www.laweasy.com