David and Sarah O’Neill were the picture of financial stability. When they first came to see me, they’d already accomplished so much: they owned their home outright, had built a solid retirement fund, and managed a diverse investment portfolio. David even joked that he didn’t think they needed an estate plan. “We’ve got it all under control,” he said with a confident smile.
But control can vanish in an instant. Last year, David suffered a sudden medical emergency that left Sarah scrambling. She sat across from me, exhausted and overwhelmed, as she recounted the challenges she faced in the weeks after his hospitalization.
Without a financial power of attorney, Sarah couldn’t access David’s accounts to pay their bills. She had to battle with banks and endure unnecessary delays, all while worrying about David’s recovery. Their home, which they thought was secure, had to go through probate because they hadn’t set up a trust. And without healthcare directives in place, Sarah was left making critical medical decisions without knowing David’s true wishes.
After David recovered, the O’Neills came back to my office determined to fix what had gone wrong. Together, we established a trust to avoid probate, crafted powers of attorney to protect their finances, and created healthcare directives to ensure their voices would be heard in any medical situation.
True financial wellness isn’t just about growing wealth—it’s about safeguarding it. An estate plan gives you the tools to handle life’s unexpected twists and turns. Whether you’re managing a single property or a complex portfolio, an estate plan is essential to protecting what you’ve worked so hard to build.
This year, let’s add estate planning to your financial wellness goals. Register for a Workshop and learn how to secure your family’s future.