This post today is written by Darlynn Morgan of Morgan Law Group, an OC estate planning lawyer.
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One HUGE Financial Resolution You Likely Missed For 2015
It’s a new year, which means like most parents, you’ve probably made a handful of resolutions to improve your life or set your family on a better course in 2015.
Perhaps you’re shooting for less TV time for the kids… or maybe a family-wide goal to eat healthier snacks. In the area of finances, maybe you’ve resolved to get out of debt, take a fabulous vacation or use your money to benefit more charities making a difference in the local community or the world.
These are all great resolutions…but I can pretty much guarantee that there is still one important goal for 2015 that you missed…
…estate planning!
Did you know that setting your legal affairs in order is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your family, wishes and assets are protected if something unexpectedly happens to you and/or your spouse?
So…Why Are You Putting It Off?
As a lawyer, it frightens me that 70% (!) of parents have not named guardians who could raise their kids if something happens to mom or dad and 55% of adults do not have basic planning documents in place such as a will or trust!
Now, I’m a mom of two young kids, too…and I realize that planning for death and incapacity is no fun. But, sticking your fingers in your ears or burying your head in the sand won’t make the need for estate planning magically go away, either.
That’s because the government already has an “estate plan” for your family that your loved ones will be stuck with if you fail to create your own!
The details and reality are pretty depressing and scary, but here is the GOOD news: creating your own plan, where you have a say in what happens in your family’s future is EASY! With just a few simple estate planning documents, you can take back control and get empowered.
What an Estate Plan Does for Your Family
1. Allows YOU to handpick legal guardians who can raise your kids if the unthinkable happens
2. Appoints someone YOU trust to make medical or financial decisions if you are disabled, incapacitated or otherwise unable to speak for yourself
3. Shields YOUR assets from creditors, predators, divorce and lawsuits
4. Puts “speedbumps” around YOUR child’s inheritance so they don’t receive a lump sum of money before they are mature enough to handle it
5. Makes sure YOUR family is prepared for life without you
The Time To Plan Is Now
Early 2015 is the time to think about these crucial issues and how they may relate to your own estate strategy. Don’t put planning off for another month or year…make it your New Year’s resolution today!
To help you get the ball rolling, I’d like to invite you to join me for a FREE Kids Protection Workshop this month at Pallette Station on January 24th, 2015 at 10am or My Gym-Tustin on the same day at 1:00pm.
Bring the kids to play and have fun with adult supervision while you are in the same room, learning everything you need to know about estate planning and protecting the people you love. What could be better or easier than that? Here’s what you’ll discover at our Workshops:
1. How to choose the RIGHT Guardians for your kids
2. How to keep your family out of probate (which is long, expensive, public and does not pass your assets in a responsible way!)
3. How to prevent a court from having to supervise your children’s inheritance and handing them money at 18!
4. How to leave your loved ones a gift far greater than all the money in the world if the unthinkable happens
5. Why naming guardians is just not enough to keep your children from spending time in foster care
It’s free, easy and fun! If you have minor kids, you won’t want to miss it! To view all of the details and register now at no-charge, simply visit www.KidsProtectionWorkshop.com. Don’t forget about your friends and loved ones…they have families they need to protect, too! Share this information and help them out.
Happy New Year!
-Darlynn
P.S. If you belong to a moms club or group in need of a speaker in 2015, consider a workshop on naming guardians for minor kids and/or estate planning! This is information every adult should have in their parenting arsenal. Email amy @ morganlawgroup.com to schedule a workshop with a Morgan Law Group attorney!