I’m not sure where May went, but here we are two weeks into June. Last week, my daughter’s 5th-grade class headed over to the middle school for a tour, and it hit me: I will have 2 kids in Jr. High.
Where does the time go?
Of course, now that it’s summer, the girls are so excited about camps and activities and a break from school. Ryan and I are on the other end, juggling schedules and playing chauffeur.
You may be like me, where summer has a bit of excitement, but it comes layered with a hint of anxiety as the daily routine is about to be thrown off.
As you know if you’ve followed along with me for a while, I’ve always made it a point to incorporate finances into our daily life as a family. So it came as little surprise to me this month that these changes in schedule have also required me to reset my approach for this month’s Mosaic blog.
I knew I wanted to write more in-depth about using wealth.com for estate planning, but I struggled to find the story to bring it to life. As I often do when the words don’t come, I laced up my running shoes and set out for the trail to let my brain wander and create some connections.
Instead of a story, my brain just created bullet points.
A couple of miles in, I conceded it was ok; I’m just going to operate in task mode.
Does this feel familiar?
I’m guessing I’m not the only one feeling this way. Sometimes we just need to do what is next to be done. Or, in the infamous words of Anna of Arendelle and Emily P. Freeman, an author I highly recommend: “the next right thing.”
In my case, the next task, the next right thing, was simply organizing the facts I know I want to share. Here are three of them:
1. Who should have an estate plan? Everyone over 18.
Now, no an 18-year-old probably doesn’t need a whole formal trust. But they do need health care directives and a power of attorney, both part of an estate plan. While it might not seem like it (or you’re in denial they’re growing up!), 18-year-olds are considered adults, and parents may not be able to get important information if their adult child is unable to make decisions for themselves. I have attended a few high school and college graduation parties this last month so this has been at the front of my mind.
2. Know the reasons you need an estate plan.
I could list out all the reasons you should have an Estate Plan but I believe that this article from wealth.com answers these questions and I encourage you to read it: Click here
3. Wealth.com is one of the most effective tools I’ve found for estate planning.
Ryan and I will be re-doing our estate planning documents through Wealth.com.* Here are a couple of reasons why:
- It’s all online and can be accessed anytime.
- We can grant emergency access to the people who need it. They can access the power of attorneys and other documents needed if either of us becomes incapacitated.
- Any updates needed don’t require us to go to an attorney’s office.
- We have access to an attorney remotely if needed.
- We can get the documents mailed to us in organized folders when we finalize our estate plan.
If summer or just life right now has you in task mode, too, know that I’m around all summer.
If you’ve been considering what to do next for your estate planning, or you’ve been putting off getting your estate plan together, I’d encourage you to contact me. Send me a question for a free 15-minute consultation to get started. I can help you understand what your next right thing looks like to protect your family and your finances.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
* Just a quick reminder: Although wealth.com is a tool I provide and highly recommend, it’s important to note I’m not an attorney. Wealth.com has attorneys who create the documents within the tool, and they are available for questions along the way.
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The opinions expressed herein are those of Anna Nelson and are subject to change without notice. This material is not financial advice or an offer to sell any product. Forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed. This document may contain certain information that constitutes “forward-looking statements” which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “expect,” “will,” “hope,” “forecast,” “intend,” “target,” “believe,” and/or comparable terminology. No assurance, representation, or warranty is made by any person that any of Anna Nelson’s assumptions, expectations, objectives, and/or goals will be achieved. Nothing contained in this document may be relied upon as a guarantee, promise, assurance, or representation as to the future. Anna Nelson is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
