Estate Planning: What does it take to get your Attention?
Estate planning isn’t for everyone. If you have less than $150,000 of gross aggregate assets in your name, alone, a will may suffice. If you don’t care about future cost to your beneficiaries, the prospect of a probate proceeding when you die may not trouble you now.
If, however, you want to be sure that your assets go to your chosen beneficiaries without undue expenditure of time, effort and money, or unnecessary dilution by attorneys, accountants, taxes, and courts, then estate planning deserves your time and attention.
What does it take to get your attention? A death in the family? Some clients say that they faced an unpleasant, expensive probate when a senior relative died, and they don’t want their own children to have that experience. Some people realize they’d better attend to this business before taking a major trip, or before having major surgery.
Yet some folks just don’t get the message. One lady told me, “My husband has cancer, so this year we’re focusing on his treatment.” (Pardon, but don’t some major, life-threatening illnesses lead to, like, death?) One older gentleman said, “This season, we’re focusing on financial planning.” (Isn’t an exit strategy a part of financial planning for senior citizens, or has this gent figured out how to outlive both his fortune and his relatives?)
Recently, I had the painfully frustrating experience of visiting an elderly gentleman on his deathbed. He had been ill for the past year. For months, his doctors had advised him that his condition was irreversible and would continue to deteriorate. He wanted to provide for his children, with whom he was close. Believing that he might only have a few weeks left, he summoned me to take notes and prepare an estate plan for him. Within hours of his call, I was at his home. He was weak and not very alert. He died that night, before anything could even be prepared for his signature.
What had he been thinking? What should it have taken to get his attention sooner – a week or a month previously, or when his wife had died three years earlier, if not during his children’s minority?
If you think you need and want estate planning, then do it, while you can. Jerry Kessler practices law in Santa Clarita. You may contact him at 661-255-1001 for a confidential consultation.
ADVERTISE WITH US
A Note From the Publishers – April 2024
We simply couldn’t resist! Our covers are in high demand, so this month, we are thrilled to feature four non-profits, each promoting their upcoming events. Each event offers its own unique experience, showcasing the diversity of our community.First on the list...
Wine on the Roof Returns on April 25, 2024
\Wine on the Roof will take place on Thursday, April 25th from 6:30-10pm at The Centre (the former Sports Complex at Golden Valley/Centre Pointe Parkway in Santa Clarita). This unique fundraising event benefits the WiSH Education Foundation and features a SIX...
SCV Senior Center Prepares for Celebrity Waiter Celebration Saturday, April 27, 2024
The SCV Senior Center is preparing for their annual fundraising event – Celebrity Waiter – with the theme – “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27th at Bella Vida. Table Sponsorships are still available.The headliner for the event is “Surfin’” – A Beach...
ABOUT THE MAGAZINE
Santa Clarita Magazine has set a high standard for excellence in advertising for over 34 years. A family owned and operated business, Santa Clarita Magazine has grown with the Santa Clarita Valley since 1990 and become the #1 place to advertise locally.
FOLLOW US
SANTA CLARITA MAGAZINE
PO Box 801570
Valencia Ca 91380
For Advertising information
Call or Text: 1 (661) 294-4444