Two days ago, one of my clients felt his arm go numb. He managed to tell a co-worker, who retrieved the supervisor, who retrieved the phone. After spending two nights in the hospital, he was alright. Shaken, but alright. He had just dodged the bullet.
You see, he wasn’t supposed to sign his estate plan until today. (It had been scheduled one month ago).
That fact amused him when the attending physician asked if he had he had any prepared Will or advanced medical directives. It did not amuse the physician.
He and his spouse signed their estate plan today. They were lovely people; he was still chuckling at the timing of the scare and she was simply relieved. After they left, I participated in a Wealth Counsel seminar on the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 and the changes it will effect on estate planning. It was informative, but as I listened to my good friends, Stan Miller and Bob Keebler, discuss the intricate and strategic planning changes available, I kept thinking about the basics. I kept thinking about my client.
Most of the time, my job as an estate planning attorney is to help my client. That may mean weaving myriad LLCs and trusts into an asset-protection plan or carefully balancing nonprofits as to shelter taxes — but that’s not the same as Helping. The capital H means drafting a Will or an Authorization for Release of Medical Records or a Power of Attorney that gives your family the ability to care for you if your arm goes numb. It’s ensuring your spouse and children will have enough to survive if you don’t regain feeling.
That’s Helping. It’s the essential estate planning and it’s what we do at the Fisher Law Office. We can and need to talk about tax law changes — and we will. But first, let’s make sure you have the basics.
My client heard the bullet go past. We’re here if you want help dodging it.
Good luck and good hunting.
Randy
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The Fisher Law Office is renowned for its experience in estate planning, probate administration, asset protection, and business development. Annapolis attorney Randall D. Fisher has practiced for over 20 years, maintains the highest peer review rating for ethics (AV Preeminent) by Martindale-Hubbell, and is a sucker for long walks on the fairways.
Find out how to reach Randy via TheFisherLawOffice.com or find him at Facebook.com/FisherLawOffice, on Twitter @thefisherlawoffice, or at LinkedIn.com/in/FisherLawOffice.