My own mom laughed when I told her she needed a living trust!

Well, she didn't really laugh; she just joked about it and changed the subject. She didn't want her lawyer son to be talking about serious stuff like her possible mortality.

The thing is, Mom needed a living trust because she has assets that could be eaten alive by taxes. "What's the big deal?" she chided, "you guys are going to get it anyway." I explained that my sister and I weren't concerned about "getting it;" we just wanted her wishes carried out without undue government interference or taxes. Also, we wanted to spare everyone the rigors of probate.

I gave my Mom a bunch of information I copied out of my treatises on estate planning; and because she is a very smart lady, she read them all and called me a week later. Mom now has a real will (not the boiler plate thing she bought at a stationary store, which was invalid) and a living trust. The people she wants to have her things will get them.

Meanwhile, and most importantly, Mom is enjoying what she has without worry.

I, Douglas M. Buchanan, Attorney at Law,
offer a FREE estate planning consultation
even house calls - to non-relatives as well.