Share Your Estate Plan Ahead of Time and Leave a Positive Legacy

Dear Clients (and future Clients):

I am writing to discuss how you can increase your peace of mind by sharing your estate and incapacity plan with your loved ones ahead of time.

Have you ever considered that your meticulously crafted estate plan might be more like a ticking time bomb, poised to disrupt rather than protect your legacy?

You've laid the groundwork: collaborating with a lawyer, fashioning thoughtful wills, and securing power of attorney documents. You've ventured into the complexities of probate planning, possibly set up a trust for a beneficiary with special needs, and equitably divided your estate among those you cherish. Meticulous as ever, you've updated your beneficiary designations, chosen a competent member from your family to be the executor, and taken comfort in the fact that a reliable person stands ready to manage your affairs, should you become unable. A caring yet decisive substitute decision maker is in place, fully aware of your personal care and end-of-life wishes.

Yet, even with all this diligent preparation, are there unseen pitfalls waiting in the wings? Could unexpected twists lurk in the shadows of your seemingly bulletproof plan? More importantly, do all the key players truly understand their roles?

Have you clearly conveyed to children from a previous marriage that they won't inherit anything immediately upon your passing? Perhaps they will need to await the passing of your newer spouse, and even then, perhaps an inheritance isn't guaranteed. Numerous potential landmines lurk in the realm of estate planning. Perhaps your executor is contemplating a move abroad for a new job next year. If only your estate lawyer possessed a crystal ball or a touch of psychic intuition to guide you down an infallible planning path.  Alas, even the best estate planning lawyers cannot see around every corner.

That's why I'm now offering family meetings for my estate planning clients who are eager to ensure their plans withstand life's unpredictable challenges. These sessions provide a platform to share your vision with your loved ones and address any difficult realities or important tax nuances, paving the way for a smoother transition after your passing. This approach ensures that your family isn't left with a ticking time bomb, but rather, with a profound sense of being cared for and a confidence that your material legacy enhances, rather than overshadows, your personal one—a legacy that reflects who you are and the nurturing family environment you've helped cultivate.

If you believe that a collaborative meeting—be it in-person, virtual, or a blend of both—would be beneficial to articulate your plan, please don't hesitate to call me. It's a valuable opportunity to gather feedback from all the relevant family members involved and make any necessary adjustments, ensuring everyone's on the same page and your wishes are clearly understood.

Your Partner in Estate Planning,

Angela

Facilitated communication of your estate plan can help avoid unexpected conflicts on incapacity & death.