Jon the College Student
Jon turned 18 and headed to college.
Jon went snowboarding and hit a tree...
Jon is now in a coma... What happens next?
Depends... did Jon have an Estate Plan?
Without an Estate Plan
- Jon’s medical records are sealed
- No one is able to make health care decisions on Jon’s behalf
- Jon’s parents hire a lawyer
- Petition the court to name parents as Jon’s conservator
With an Estate Plan
- Jon’s parents have immediate access to Jon’s records
- Jon’s parents are automatically empowered to make health care decisions on Jon’s behalf
- No lawyer or court ordered conservatorship is required
Take control of your Estate Plan
Mary, Jason, and baby Jane
Mary and Jason are the proud parents of baby Jane.
On the way to visit grandma, they're in an automobile accident...
Mary and Jason die in the car accident... What happens next?
Depends... did they have an estate plan?
Without an Estate Plan
- Mary’s parents and Jason’s parents argue about who should raise baby Jane
- Lawyers are hired and custody battles ensue
- Feelings are hurt and families divided
With an Estate Plan
- Mary and Jason thoughtfully nominate who they want to be the guardian of baby Jane
- Custody is not a question and no lawyers are needed
- Relationships are maintained and families can heal
Take control of your Estate Plan
Sam’s Aging Parents
As they age, Mom and Dad get less capable (both physically and mentally) each and every year.
Mom and Dad reach a point of incapability...
They can't make their own decisions...What happens next?
Depends... Did they have an Estate Plan?
Without an Estate Plan
- Medical records are sealed and health care decisions are delayed
- Petition the court to name Sam as conservator and grant him financial power of attorney
- Locating assets and important papers is nearly impossible
- At death assets are subject to probate
- Sam hires a lawyer to probate the estate
- 12 to 18 months of hassle and distraction
With an Estate Plan
- Sam has immediate access to his parent’s medical records
- Sam is automatically empowered to make health care decisions on his parent’s behalf
- Sam is automatically empowered to pay bills and maintain his parent’s financial affairs
- No need to involve the court or hire a lawyer to probate his parent’s estate
- Assets are all in order and easily identifiable
- Saves tons of time
Take control of your Estate Plan
Business Partners
Leonard and James are business partners.
Something unexpected happens...
Leonard dies... What happens next?
Depends... Did they have an Estate Plan?
Without an Estate Plan
- James gets a new business partner - Leonard’s wife
- James hires a lawyer to ensure he has control of the business while Leonard’s estate goes through probate
- Leonard’s wife hires a lawyer to probate Leonard’s business assets
With an Estate Plan
- The business passes seamlessly to James without probate or court intervention
- Neither Leonard’s wife nor James are required to hire a lawyer
- Relationships are maintained and the business can continue to grow
Take control of your Estate Plan
