Another Crucial To-Do

While we’re at it - giving out unsolicited personal advice . . . may I recommend doing your estate planning??

Last month my friend’s brother dropped dead at age 48 with no apparent cause . . . .
One of the fire victims had a massive stroke and died . . . .
And a friend was diagnosed with lung cancer and was gone in two weeks . . . .
And another acquaintance was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was gone in a week . . . . .

LIFE IS SHORT!!!

I find it interesting that we buy life insurance, we buy car insurance, we buy house insurance, but we delay doing our legal planning for death and disability . . . . No offense, but we will ALL die. And we should all be adult enough to prepare.

So today’s advice is this:
CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO GET YOUR TRUST AND WILL AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY NOW.

Most will meet with you for free. That way you can ask questions and get informed. Then you can decide on timing.

And yes, I am an estate planning attorney. And yes, I’d LOVE to help you get this done. And yes, I OFFER A COMPLETELY FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Again, I don’t want to get the phone call from you when it’s too late. Those are unbearably sad. When the son is writing the check for the IRS for $350,000 in taxes that COULD HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED. Where the spouse is writing ME a check for handling legal matters WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED.

Problems you may be facing:
Probate fees - to transfer your assets after death - are about 3% of your GROSS estate (you don’t get to deduct your mortgage)
Estate tax rates are HIGH - about 50% of what you pass on over $2 million (include ALL your life insurance)
Who will care for your children?
Do you want your kids to get all their money when they turn 18? Frightening!!!
Who will run your business, care for the elderly parents, handle your affairs???
What if you’re in a car accident, who can handle stuff then??

So for this new year, set your goal.
I SHALL GET MY ESTATE PLANNING DONE THIS MONTH!!!!

(and yes, this is also a shameless plug for my legal practice. :) I’ve been doing estate planning for 22 years - and yes, I’m old. Thank you for pointing that out! :)

Feel free to check out my website and contact me with questions.)

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