Something Worth Protecting Contributed by: Taylor White, Estate Planning Coordinator
As far back as I can remember, I was taught the value of hard work, the value of a dollar, and the value of integrity. Those values have grown in importance as I age. Most of us will work hard to provide for ourselves and, maybe even our loved ones, for the majority of our adult lives. Most of us hope to realize that true success and fulfillment is about living a great lifestyle. It’s about being healthy, spending time with the right people, enjoying the moment and experiencing a bit of good old-fashioned fun. While our basic needs as humans are the same, our values, goals, and milestones as well as the paths we take to accomplish them are all very different.
I recently listened to a podcast titled, “Don’t Let Your Net Worth Determine Your Self Worth”. The words struck a chord with me. The reason being, I’ve found that a common comment made in the first few minutes of meeting with a potential client is, “I don’t have that much”, or “It’s really not a lot”, or “We aren’t millionaires or anything”. Our personal value is found in building a life tailored to our own unique needs, wants and goals- it is not found in the amount that lies in our bank accounts, but rather the life experiences and wisdom we carry. The truth is, we all have something worth protecting. For some of us, it may be the legacy we leave for our loved ones, the small business we sacrificed to create, our furry friends who are more like loved ones- or to some, it may be peace of mind that we are ensuring our own financial security. No matter the who, what or why- chances are, you have something worth protecting.
In Hollywood, estate planning is often glamorized- cue the wood burning fire place, the large leather chairs, and the wealthy family surrounding a lawyer reading from a Will. Estate planning is not only for the uber-rich. Estate planning is for everyone. Truly, it’s for everyone and anyone that wishes to gain peace of mind for themselves or their loved ones; it’s for anyone who wishes to protect and preserve a legacy; it’s for young adults who wish to be smart and proactive in the event of unforeseen circumstances- the list goes on. Estate planning is broad enough to cover your unique situations. It’s because of those differences in goals, circumstances and life changes that estate planning is not a one size fits all concept. Each client we meet with has an entirely different past, present and future in mind which allows us the opportunity to craft their estate plan with the individual attention those elements call for. Our goal is to make sure that your values are reflected in your planning.
The goal of a thorough estate plan is to provide security and peace of mind for you and your loved ones. When you think of it that way, everyone needs an estate plan. When you think of it that way, wealth (in numbers) has nothing to do with it at all. Our goal to educate our communities with the planning options available to them is not bound by income levels or tax brackets- it’s bound by the desire to do right by you and your nearest and dearest. The big picture looks different for each one of us- our circumstances, goals, family dynamics- but we all have something worth protecting. I challenge you to find that something in your own life.