You May Lose Consciousness

My client came to me asking for an estate plan because her husband was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She wanted to make sure they had powers of attorney and patient advocate designations in place, anticipating Husband eventually losing capacity to handle his affairs. So, we did just that: we planned for all necessary contingencies with a careful eye towards Husband’s condition.

Fast-forward to three weeks after the estate plan signing. I get a call from my client saying that she recently had a dizzy spell, nearly lost consciousness and had to be rushed to the emergency room where they did emergency brain surgery. The paperwork we had done enabled her daughter to seamlessly step in as patient advocate and assist throughout this unexpected and frightening event. My client was relieved that the estate plan was in place: “Here I was worried about planning for [my husband]’s issue, and I ended up being the one that needed it! And only three weeks after we signed!”

This is a true story, folks!

Now, raise your right hand and repeat after me:

I do so solemnly swear/affirm/promise
I do so solemnly swear/affirm/promise
that I will complete my estate plan
that I will complete my estate plan
before December 31, 2017.
before December 31, 2017.
For I cannot know
for I cannot know
when I shall need it.
when I shall need it.
And, if I shall need it
and, if I shall need it
and I do not have it,
and I do not have it,
it shall be too late.
it shall be too late.