A Time to Plan and a Time to Reflect

Losing someone you love is never easy. We all have experienced this pain. The closer the relationship and bond to that person, the more that loss is felt. Those are the moments to remember all that person brought to the world. The smiles and the laughter. The adventures and the dreams. It is a time to celebrate a life well lived.

Losing a loved one is also a time that can create additional heart break and stress – when that person did not have a properly planned estate. Instead of the celebration of life, there is in-fighting and bureaucratic headaches and paperwork piling up. When a person’s estate is not planned properly, regardless of the size of the estate, the focus and energy is not spent in the right place.

The loss of a loved one is an opportunity to learn. Learn what you can do better. And when it comes to estate planning, the main lesson is that you need to get your plan in place. When you plan, you are able to focus on what is truly important. If you have a plan, it is a good time to review it. Review it with your family so that you know whether we are truly prepared. So they will we be able to concentrate on each other in those terrible times, and not have to worry about anything else. Allowing them a time to reflect.

I became an estate planning attorney to be able to help families prepare for these terrible circumstances.  But I cannot make anyone implement a plan.  I can only share with them (if they come to see me) the risks and consequences of leaving everything to chance.

Get your plan in place. Have your plan reviewed by a professional. Make sure all you need to do is done. Those simple sets will help make that difficult time just a little easier.