By RAY ADLER
Ask Adler
We often have the pleasure of meeting with people who have questions about their estate plans.
Each situation is unique, of course, and it is interesting to hear each person’s life story and experiences. Some are apologetic because they have waited to make a plan. Some have a plan in mind but have questions about the implications of a certain course of action. Others need a plan almost immediately because of their life situation.
Our firm is part of a nationwide network of estate planning professionals. Recently, an attorney in that group posted a note asking attorneys to provide volunteer services in their state to assist former service members who are volunteering to go and provide support in Ukraine with basic estate planning documents – documents like Simple Wills, durable powers of attorney, HIPAA Authorizations, Advance Directives/Medical Powers of Attorney, and Disposition of Remains instructions. This is clearly one of those immediate need situations, and we are happy to help if we can.
One of the pieces of wisdom received from my dad was: I-can or I-will is often more important than IQ. As we are faced with the news of the day, the question we like to ask is how “I-can” take action. This must be balanced with intellect as well as thinking about how best to serve, but the concept is to have a bias toward action. Get started. You might have to adjust the route, but don’t you prefer traveling in traffic that’s moving, even if it takes a few minutes longer to reach your destination?
As you think about the current events of the day, be that at home or abroad, are there things you are uniquely gifted to do? In the example above, someone took initiative to send out a request for help, which has started building a group of volunteers. If you have an idea for something, take action today.
Educational material and not legal advice, written by the team at Adler attorneys. Email andrea@noblesvilleattorney.com with questions or comments.