I just tweeted an article by a Boston financial planner, Dee Lee, who discusses the importance of parents with minor children getting their estate plans in place. I strongly feel that setting up an estate plan with protections for minor children is just as important as the other aspects of parenting for which we take so much care and concern. I have written about this here and here. Just like finding the right pediatrician, car seat, and child care, an estate plan is an essential protection for your children. This writer said it so well, that I am posting here some highlights — and a good reminder — from her article:
“Experts estimate that less than 35% of individuals have wills. This is one thing people procrastinate about, especially parents with young children.
These parents are focused on the safety issues around their home to keep the kids safe but have not done any estate planning to keep the kids safe if something should happen to them.
At the very least, you need a will naming guardians for your children if something should happen to you and your spouse.
Without a will you are leaving behind a messy situation to be handle by whoever the court appoints. And if there is life insurance involved I can guarantee even your cousin Vinny will offer to take the kids.”
By Dee Lee, Where There’s a Will, There’s A Way, August 27, 2015