Estate Planning is for old rich people! Or is it?

We've all seen the movies - the old rich person is laying on their death bed, signing a will and other legal documents with the lawyer standing bedside.  The entire family is waiting in the hallway, biting their nails.  

In fact, most people think estate planning is for old people. ​Here's the truth - estate planning is not for old people. It's for wise people!  Estate planning is about "planning" - creating legal tools that will be available in case something happens to you. You could be in your 20's, 30's, 40's. It doesn't really matter. You've got to sit down and come up with a plan for your estate. How are you going to protect yourself? How are you going to protect your family?  These are questions that are not exclusive for "old people" or "rich people."
​
One reason people most people who create an estate plan are "old" is because they keep procrastinating.  Some people think if they create their estate plan, prepare a will or living trust, they're going to die sooner. I have news for you - you're going to die anyway so you might as well make sure you are ready for it and you have a good plan in place so that you're protected.

Here's another myth I hear all the time - "Estate planning is for rich people." This is probably the biggest misconception. Estate planning is not just for rich people. While "rich people" do indeed create estate plans, we need to learn from their example. They're not rich by mistake. They are rich for a reason.  They are rich because they use the very same tools that are available for average people.  Average people just don't take the time to do it, and so most "average" people generally lose their family wealth within one or two generations. They think estate planning is for rich people and therefore, they don't bother learning about it.

Finally, there is a condition called "paralysis by analysis." Sometimes people can't agree on who their trustees are going to be, who their executors are going to be, or who they're going to name as guardians for their children. They spend so much energy "analyzing" things, they become paralyzed. Too much analysis leads to paralysis which leads to absolutely nothing.  Thinking about creating an estate plan is not the same thing as actually sitting down, rolling up your sleeves, and creating one.

So here is my message to you: Estate planning is not only for "old" people or "rich" people.  Those are common myths.  Consult with an estate planning lawyer and learn how these legal tools can be used to protect you and your family.  Yes, there will be tough decisions, but don't spend too much time analyzing everything or you risk doing nothing at all.  You can always fine tune your plan as the years go on.

If you want help or wish to learn more about estate planning, call our office at (661) 414-7100 to see if we can assist you.