Making Amends Through Good Estate Planning

I recently came accross a great article on AARP’s webite entitled “Now’s the Time to Say You’re Sorry.”  This story expertly highlights the fact that as we age we contemplate what we have done and how we ultimately want to leave things “right.”  In my estate planning experience, it is always my pleasure to help clients do just precisely that through their wills, trusts, charitable giving.  I also encourage clients to craft the very messages that wish to leave their loved ones.  In many cases, these last words are great consolation to a grieving family.

Here are some things you must consider as you enter the estate planning process:

• If you don’t have a will, it will not be clear who gets what and why.
• As my client, you’re encouraged to express yourself with grace and elegance even in instances where your giving is a measure of gratitude or amends.  This is your life, your estate, and I fully respect and honor this process of establishing your intent, thoughts, and wishes in your “last will and testament.”  This phrase is so many times said so glibly, but in essence it is a solemn and important final “say” in your affairs.  Putting this into place (in my experience with clients) brings an enormous measure of peace even when my clients are young and have decades of living ahead of them.
• Creating a will should not be a frightening experience despite the fact that you may have never done this before.

If you’re in Massachusetts, please feel free to contact me or call (508) 341-8505, and I will gladly schedule a free consultation to discuss drafting a legally binding will  that provides for your assets but also  expresses who you are and communicates the right message to those who love you.