Estate Planning Must-Haves for Parents - Even if You Have Legal Documents
When it comes to estate planning, most people think about money or assets — things you own and savings you worked so hard for throughout your lifetime. But, a comprehensive estate plan protects what really matters most — everyone you love.
Developing an estate plan to provide care for your children is one of the most important things you can do to truly have peace of mind. Naming a legal guardian for your child or children must be a part of any estate plan.
If both you and your child’s other parent were to become incapacitated or die right now, who would care for your child? Is it someone you would actually want to raise your child? Would you trust this person to take care of the financial assets you are leaving behind and use them for your child only? Have you had a conversation with this person about how you would want your children raised if they were left in that person’s care? Have your wishes been memorialized as legally-binding documents?
What about the short-term? No one wants to imagine what would happen if they went out for a nice dinner and a movie but didn’t make it home. Accidents aren’t something anyone plans for, but they do happen. If your children were left in the care of a babysitter and something happened to you and their other parent, even if you have named legal guardians, your child could be taken into the care of strangers while the authorities figure out what to do. Surprising, right?
Even if you have worked with a lawyer to name legal guardians in a will, your kids could still be at risk. Wills don’t take into account what happens if you become incapacitated and unable to care for your child, but are still alive. Also, if your named guardians live far from your home, who will take care of your children until the named guardian can get to them? The only way to ensure your kids are raised by the people you want, in the way you want, never taken into the care of strangers (even temporarily), is by creating a comprehensive Kids’ Plan.
I Can Help.
Schedule a 15 minute phone call with me and I can talk to you about creating a comprehensive Kids’ Plan as part of your own comprehensive estate planning package. This will ensure your child’s care is fully provided for in the short-term and the long-term, and in the event of your incapacity. We can also ensure anyone you would not want to raise your kids, never could or would while your own assets are protected and transferred properly to the people you want, out of court and out of conflict, and for immediate use for your children’s care—not tied up in probate.
While you should meet with me to put a full estate plan for not only your children, but yourself, in place as soon as possible, I know protecting your children is now such an urgent need in your mind that you won’t want to delay. I encourage you to get your plan started right now, and I am offering my plan to PA residents only at a special price. Click this link to find Kids’ Plan documents for $99. This digital download provides you with forms you can fill out and print at home. Once completed, take the forms to a notary with witnesses. You will rest easier knowing you have a complete set of legal guardianship documents, valid in Pennsylvania courts.
After you’ve completed your Kids plan, schedule a Planning and Design Session with me, where we will put your full estate plan in place, and determine if there is anything else your family might need to ensure the well-being and care of your children and your own assets is airtight, no matter what happens. Anyone who purchases a Kids’ Plan will receive a $750 Planning and Design session with me at no charge and $250 off any level of my estate plans.
