“All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine.” ̄ Jim Rohn
Empty Nesters Have Unique Estate Planning Concerns
Congratulations, you are empty nesters! Your children are grown and starting their own lives. You can look back on raising them with pride. Your career is reaching its completion. Another point of pride. You are in good health and looking forward to spending some good years ahead with your spouse before retirement.
Nevertheless, there are some clouds in the sky. You are grateful for being relieved of day-to-day parenting obligations, but you are still worried about your children’s problems as young adults. Will they be able to complete their education if you are not available to help them financially? Have they married or are they threatening to marry an unsuitable spouse?
And what about yourselves? Have you thought about how you would protect yourself from a sudden medical crisis? Death? Debilitating diseases? What about your retirement plans? What about your parents’ estate plan? How does it affect yours?
And that’s not all. If you pass away, who will take care of your spouse? Are there enough financial resources? Will your children and grandchildren receive what they need to when they need to after your spouse passes away? If your children don’t get along, how will you avoid conflict between them? Can you protect a child or grandchild’s inheritance from creditors, spouses, or ex-spouses? And what about taxes? You’ve heard about estate taxes, gift taxes, generation-skipping taxes.
You know you need help to re-establish your peace of mind. And to create certainty about your affairs. You are confused about how to do this. You want and deserve an attorney that explains things clearly and solves your problems for a reasonable price.
I know how you feel
I have been an empty nester myself. I have personally experienced the horrible agony of indecision and inexperience. When I graduated from law school over thirty-five years ago, I had a head full of theory and no practical experience. If an older attorney named Robert Gagniuk had not taken me under his wing and “showed me the ropes,” I might never have figured it out, and I will always be grateful to him for his mentoring. I am available as your mentor in this process.
Also, there is an old maxim in the law that states: “The lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client.” Even though I am a lawyer, I have sometimes had to hire a lawyer myself when I had a problem outside my area of expertise. At Douglas E. Kuthy, I understand exactly how you feel, and I want to spare you that pain.
Therefore,
Because many of my clients are empty nesters like you, I only charge reasonable flat fees. In short, there is never an hourly charge and there are never any surprises.
In fact, in my office, you will take part in a Professional Estate Planning Process. First, we will schedule an appointment to discuss your family situation in detail. Next, I will create a customized plan for your family for a reasonable flat fee. Third, we will execute the plan together. And finally, we will implement the plan.
Empty Nesters Are in Good Hands in My Office.
After all, it took eight years of schooling to learn my profession. Specifically, my learning never stops because I take continuing legal education courses regularly to maintain and improve my skills. Likewise, my practical experience runs deep. For example, I am a former Circuit Court Clerk. In addition, I am a former Special Assistant Attorney General. Moreover, I am a former Attorney Grievance Panel Chairman. Finally, I am a former adjunct professor at the University of Michigan.
Most importantly, I have practiced Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Conservatorship law for over 35 years. For example, I have handled over 2,000 cases. Based on my experience, some people have provided the testimonials below about how I do what I do. In conclusion, you can be confident that I have the depth of experience required to prepare a custom plan that meets your individual needs.
So, you can get started now by calling me at (248) 432-1612 and scheduling a free consultation. However, if you need more information first, you can learn some more at the page on this site named Wills v. Trusts
If Empty Nesters Do Nothing, It Endangers Their Children
If you do not create the proper documents naming temporary guardians in the event of your incapacity or death, your children will be placed with social services. If you do not name a permanent guardian in your will a judge, who knows nothing about you, your children, or the rest of your family will make a decision regarding who will raise your children.
Doing nothing could also result in Guardianship or Conservatorship.
This is also a bad thing. In the event of a devastating illness such as stroke or Alzheimers disease, without a plan, the only resort is to create a Guardianship and Conservatorship for someone to take control of your affairs under court supervision.
Proceedings of this nature cost a minimum of $3,500.00, and I represented a client in a contested case that cost $65,000.00. If your loved one is appointed, the job is extremely burdensome because he or she must account to the court and file reports annually. The most alarming thing of all is that the court may find your spouse unsuitable and appoint a stranger to fulfill these extremely important roles. This person becomes you – you will have very little recourse in challenging their decisions regarding your well-being or finances.
You Can Insure Your Legacy…
On the other hand, if you do create a proper plan, handling your affairs in any of these circumstances is extremely simple. Many former clients have thanked me profusely for how easily their loved ones’ estates have been settled under plans I drafted.
This is the best insurance policy you can buy – a one-time premium for less than the annual cost of an auto insurance policy – and although it will not ease the pain of your passing, it will leave a legacy according to your terms and your timing and save your family countless hours of pain.
Planning your estate properly will result in removing your anxiety and your fear. When you are done, youwill feel educated and have peace of mind because you’ll know the outcome. Call me at (248) 432-1612 or email me at info@douglaskuthy.com and schedule your free consultation now.
