…about Estate Planning

I was raised by a single mom (and proud Navy Veteran) that at certain times during my childhood worked 2 or 3 jobs to provide for me and my sister. I not only understand hard work, independence, and personal accountability, but am a product of it. I set my sights on law school when I was in high school, having learned through experience the importance of knowing one’s rights and the ability to effectively advocate.

So why estate planning? In my personal life, I have witnessed first-hand how detrimental it can be to a family when a loved one passes away or becomes unable to care for themselves and there is no plan in place. I have seen families left in discord as they grieve. I have seen college-aged children left with no access to the finances necessary to provide for their basic needs, including the roof over their head. These experiences fueled my passion for estate planning law and wanting to open my own practice. So many people share the misconception that estate planning is for the extremely wealthy or elderly. ESTATE PLANNING IS FOR EVERYONE.

Effective estate planning allows you to determine how your assets will be divided upon your death, to designate an individual or individuals responsible for effectuating your wishes, can limit the financial liability of your estate, and may protect your assets to maximize what you leave behind. An effective estate plan can also offer you peace of mind if you have young children and want to ensure you plan for their care and support should you not be around to do so.

Many people also don’t know that having an effective estate plan ensures that you have a game plan in place in the event you become incapacitated or unable to care for yourself or make your own health or financial decisions during your life.  Estate planning contemplates more than “death planning.” I like to think of it as “life planning.”

My practice incorporates several areas of law that align with my interests and experience. I refer to estate & legacy planning as a "featured” practice area because I believe that not enough people understand the importance of effective planning and that it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I appreciate that thinking about and planning for your or your loved ones’ incapacity or death is not necessarily exciting, even less so when you must pay to do it. Engaging with a licensed attorney and designing an effective estate plan, however, will lead to one of the most valuable investments you can make for yourself and your loved ones’ future. My goal is to educate, counsel, and through collaboration, create an effective estate plan worthy of your time and financial investment.