Blog

Posts in the ‘Estate Planning & Probate’ category

Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning – The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Posted on December 16th, 2009 by Holly A. Reese

Since the holiday season is upon us, it seems only natural that we take some time to slow down and reconnect with our family. Spending time with the generations in your family may have you thinking about future generations, and specifically, how to make sure they are taken care of if something should happen to you.

This is an unpleasant topic that many of us want to ignore, put off, or just pretend won’t happen to us. Far be it from me to tell you that you are wrong – but you are wrong. The unfortunate truth is that we all need to think about our future generations, and to ensure that they are provided for, and we need to do it today – not tomorrow, not next month, not next year.

I would propose that you think of an estate plan much like you think of insurance – something that is vitally important and necessary, but that you hope never to use. Think about not only the tangible items that you want to leave to your loved ones, but also what you don’t want to leave them – the burden of probating an estate without a will, trust, or any direction from you.

Consider an appropriate estate plan your gift to those you may one day leave behind. It may not be a partridge in a pear tree, but it is better than a lump of coal. Happy Holidays to all!

To learn more or contact this author, Holly Reese, click here.