A question I often get asked is how do I change my Will going forward? I have come to realize that this means different things to different people. I think the basis of this question comes from a misunderstanding about how a Will can be and should be structured.
There is a concept in certain areas of law that some laws are meant to “living trees” Nowhere does this living tree idea come to life than in estate planning – having key documents that can grow and change to follow your own growth as life changes. We can’t predict everything but a properly drafted and structured Will should contemplate the likely and potential changes that you may face.
I will often sit across from clients with their first child on their lap and we start to discuss how the Will we draft will include their grandchildren. Almost every time I get the same laugh back at me or eyebrows raised. We then get into a discussion about how we want this document to accommodate what will be potential situations that we can reasonably contemplate – having grandchildren sometime well in the future is not that far-fetched. Why would we do this?
One simple word comes to mind – LIFE! Life throws us curveballs all the time; some good, some not so good, and some downright horrible. But, they come and we handle them and we grow and we change. Unfortunately, some of these curveballs rob us of our capacity to deal with things. If that does occur, it may also rob us of the ability to conduct our own affairs for a significant period of time and maybe for the rest of our lives. We may also be robbed of our capacity to change our key structures like our Will all while our loved ones move forward in their lives.
It’s true, we never want to think that it will happen – and we pray that’s the case. But, if it does, proper estate planning can put the structures in place to accommodate this and other situations. Whether it’s through your Will, proper Powers of Attorney and Personal Directives, having experienced and trusted advisors and lawyers who not only understand the risks but also ask all the right questions is absolutely vital.
When we meet with you to discuss your Estate Plan we ask you the right questions, we let you know of the options and we then help guide you through the process of providing the protections you and your loved ones need to be able to set it, forget it, and not worry about leaving things to chance.
Peace of mind is not only attainable – it’s simply within your reach. Contact us or give us a call to discuss how we can get started.
