Is your estate plan up to date?

Pablo Neruda once said,

“You start dying slowly...If you become a slave of your habits,

Walking everyday on the same paths...if you do not change your routine.”

You disagree with the great Chilean Poet. You think poets give bad advice. You point out that the great poet also said,

"...sharpen the knives you kept hidden away, thrust them into my breast, into my hands, like a torrent of sunbursts, an Amazon of buried jaguars..."

I see where you are coming from. I would never recommend you stab anyone. I will also state publicly that you should always wear sunscreen and never bury jaguars in your backyard. Quite honestly, you should never own a jaguar. I see your distrust of poets, and I understand it.

Routine is to be valued. It shows dedication, dependability, and stamina. I will also concede that we all are dying slowly, whether or not we are creatures of habit. I will never try to talk you into agreeing with poets. But, is your life as routine as you believe it to be?

I happen to believe that Mr. Neruda would look at you and see that you are anything but routine. I believe he would applaud your dynamic life. Think about it. How has your life changed in the past year, the past decade, etc.? Despite your best efforts at routine, change is constant.

Does your will/ trust reflect the changes in your life? Have you acquired any new property? Have you sold any property? Are there new people in your life to whom you would like to make specific bequests? Are there people you would like to cut out of your will? Are there new health concerns for you or your family? Are there additional provisions you would like to add to your will?

For example, Jack Benny arranged to have a red rose sent to his wife every day after he passed. I know, you’re wondering what this has to do with your estate plan...you’re also not sure who Jack Benny is. Don’t worry; he’s not a poet. I bring up Jack Benny because I want you to know that not all changes to your will/trust need to be Shakespearean or concern death, disinheritance, knives, and jaguars.

Look at your estate plan. Make sure your will/trust reflects your life. I know you spent a lot of money years ago having an attorney draft the perfect estate plan for you. I’m not here to reinvent the wheel or gouge you for a few alterations. I want your wishes to be followed and your legacy protected.

Can you mark through provisions of your will that you want excluded? Yes.

Can you write in new terms for your will with your favorite pen? No.

Do not jeopardize the integrity of your estate plan. Know that you are anything but routine. Do not live in the past. Call me today.

The aforementioned is not legal advice...even the part about jaguars.

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