Estate Planning and Probate News

Lisa, a financial advisor, shared a story about a client who had a sudden health scare. “She was hospitalized for weeks,” Lisa explained. “She had no health care surrogate in place, so her family had to go through the courts just to make medical decisions on her behalf. It delayed her treatment and added unnecessary stress during an already tough time.

Jake started to think—what would happen if he were suddenly unable to make decisions? Would his loved ones know what to do? That night, he did some research and realized an estate plan wasn’t just about passing on wealth after death. It was about protecting himself right now.

The next week, he met with an estate planning attorney. Together, they created documents that made a difference immediately:

• A Durable Power of Attorney – This allowed someone he trusted to handle his finances if he ever became incapacitated. No court battles, no delays.
• A Health Care Surrogate & Living Will – His loved ones wouldn’t have to guess what medical treatments he wanted if he couldn’t speak for himself.
• A Revocable Trust – Not only did this help avoid probate in the future, but it also ensured his assets were managed properly if anything unexpected happened.

Total Cost with a Living Trust

Months later, Jake was in a car accident. He was unconscious for two days, but thanks to his estate plan, his sister was able to handle his bills, talk to doctors, and ensure everything was in order. Without those documents, his family might have been stuck in legal limbo, struggling to access his accounts and make medical choices for him.

When he recovered, Jake felt relieved. Estate planning wasn’t just about what happened after he was gone—it gave him peace of mind now. He knew that if life threw another curveball, his loved ones wouldn’t be left scrambling.

The Lesson? Estate planning isn’t just about the future. It’s about making life easier for yourself and your family today. If something happened tomorrow, would your loved ones know what to do? If not, now’s the time to put a plan in place.