The Harrisons had always loved their St. Louis suburban home. For years, it was where they raised their three children, hosted backyard barbecues, and celebrated countless family milestones. But as Jim and Karen approached retirement, they realized that while they had built a life full of memories, they had yet to take care of one important thing—their estate plan.
Jim first brought it up after a conversation with his neighbor, who had recently gone through the probate process after losing a family member. “It was a nightmare,” his neighbor had said. “If I could go back, I’d have made sure everything was in place before it happened.”
That conversation weighed heavily on Jim. He didn’t want his family to go through a similar ordeal. One weekend, as they sat on their porch overlooking the neighborhood, Jim turned to Karen. “We need to make sure everything’s taken care of,” he said. “I don’t want the kids to have to deal with all this.”
Karen agreed, and the following week they scheduled a meeting with Polaris Estate Planning & Elder Law.
During their consultation, they learned about the essential components of estate planning:
- Wills: Their will would ensure that their home and other assets were distributed according to their wishes. Jim and Karen were relieved to know they could designate their children as beneficiaries, making sure their family home stayed in the family.
- Trusts: Polaris suggested a trust to help the Harrisons avoid probate and manage their assets more efficiently. This would ensure that their children wouldn’t have to deal with the court system, saving them both time and money.
- Powers of Attorney: The Harrisons appointed each other as their powers of attorney, allowing them to make financial and healthcare decisions for each other if either became incapacitated.
- Advance Directives: Jim and Karen also created advance directives, ensuring that their healthcare preferences would be honored if they couldn’t communicate them themselves.
After their meeting, Jim and Karen felt a sense of relief. They knew that their children would be spared the complications and stress that could arise from an unprepared estate.
This October, as part of National Estate Planning Awareness Month, take the first step toward securing your family’s future—just like the Harrisons did. Request a free consultation today here and make sure your family is prepared for the future.