A high school friend’s husband died the other day. I am mad. Though I am feeling old, I am actually in the prime of life, and people my age should not die. Unfortunately, what should happen and what actually happens are two different things.
I am mad at my friend’s situation – a forty-two year old with two young daughters and a loving wife should not be taken from this world. His presence is needed to help shape the minds and values of his young girls, and to give life-long support to his wife, my friend.
I am mad at the injustice, the unfairness of it all – by all accounts he was a truly good man. He was loved by all those he encountered. He was not someone who “deserved” this fate.
I am mad at the viciousness of cancer – he fought a valiant fight, and for a time looked to be ahead, but the cancer came back stronger, ripping away the rest of his life.
I am mad that his, and all the other similar stories that we hear, that go unheeded – we all know people who were taken too soon. As you think of those people, those friends, those loved ones, the one common theme is that “it won’t happen to me.” I know this because of my job. I know this because very few families put an estate plan in place, in general, even fewer if under the age of 55.
Death and loss are not easy. There are no actions or magic words that make the pain of loss “all better.” However, by putting together plans, by helping clients prepare for the inevitable, we have the opportunity to make a difficult time easier, more manageable. We get to help give families the peace of mind they deserve. We get to help prepare people for one of life’s few certainties, no matter when that may happen.
Although today I am mad, I know the work we do for those who do listen to those stories make a difference in their lives. It makes me feel good.
Contributed by Morris Hall, PLLC Estate Planning Attorney, and Partner James P. Plitz.
About Morris Hall, PLLC:
At Morris Hall, PLLC we have focused our legal practice on estate planning for over 45 years. Along with estate planning, our attorneys help clients and their families with matters of probate, trust administration, wills, power of attorneys, business planning, succession planning, legacy planning, charitable gifting and other important legal aspects. We also have divisions in financial, real estate and accounting to help you incorporate all of your planning together, ensuring that everything works perfectly for your needs and situation. Our Arizona offices are located in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Carefree, Tucson, Oro Valley, Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff and Arrowhead. Contact us today at 888.222.1328 to schedule an appointment!
This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.
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Jim this is a very good article. Preparing can take the sting out of an unexpected death or incapacity. Proper financial and legal can leave the family with security.