One Thing No One Wants to Talk About — Why Planning Now Protects the People You Love Most
One Thing No One Wants to Talk About — Why Planning Now Protects the People You Love Most
There’s a strange taboo in almost every family I meet:
We don’t talk about death, illness, or what happens if life takes an unexpected turn.
We’ll talk about vacations.
College plans.
Kitchen remodels.
Even the neighbor’s dog before we ever talk about estate planning.
But here’s the part that surprises people:
Estate planning isn’t a conversation about dying.
It’s a conversation about living — and protecting your ability to make decisions while you’re here.
And it’s a conversation about giving your family peace, not paperwork.
“It’s Not Just About What Happens When I Pass…”
I say this often in my office, and I mean it every time:
“A comprehensive estate plan is not just about what happens when you pass.
It’s about what happens if you don’t — and you become ill or injured.”
We tend to imagine estate planning as a far-off future scenario. But the truth is, most of the calls that come into my office aren’t about someone who has died.
They’re from a spouse, an adult child, or a family member saying:
“Mom had a stroke. What do we do?”
“My husband was in an accident. Can I sign for him?”
“My father can’t manage his finances anymore. Who has authority?”
And heartbreakingly, the answer is often:
“It depends on whether anything was planned in advance.”
Without the right documents, your family may have to go to court just to pay bills, make medical decisions, or protect your home.
Control Is Not Automatic — It’s Chosen
We like to believe that because someone loves us, they automatically have the legal right to help us.
But love and law don’t always line up.
A comprehensive estate plan gives you control when everything else feels uncertain:
Who makes medical decisions if you can’t
Who manages your finances in an emergency?
Who protects your home, savings, and business?
Who steps in to help your children or dependents?
Who receives what — and when?
As I often tell clients:
“Total control is at your fingertips — but only if you put it in writing.”
Otherwise, the court makes the decisions for you.
The Story I Wish Every Family Could Hear
A few months ago, a couple came into my office.
They were newly retired, planning a trip up north, and finally ready to “check estate planning off the list.”
Halfway through the meeting, the husband paused and said:
“We should have done this years ago.
We just didn’t want to think about anything bad happening.”
His wife nodded and added:
“I assumed we’d figure it out when the time came.
But now that we’re here, I feel… calm. Like a weight is off my chest.”
That’s the moment that drives home the point for so many families:
Avoiding the topic doesn’t prevent difficulty, but planning for it prevents chaos.
What a Comprehensive Estate Plan Really Protects
Your plan should cover both today and tomorrow.
1. Protecting YOU (while you’re alive)
Medical decisions
Financial decisions
Emergency authority
Protection from court involvement
2. Protecting YOUR FAMILY (when life changes)
Avoiding probate
Keeping everything private
Reducing stress and conflict
Making transitions clear and peaceful
3. Protecting YOUR ASSETS
Your home
Savings
Investments
Family heirlooms
Your business
Real estate (especially with Michigan’s Lady Bird deeds)
These decisions don’t take control away from you.
They give you control.
Let’s Stop Ignoring the Hard Stuff
I know it’s uncomfortable.
I know it feels heavy.
But the truth is simple:
You have the power to make decisions today that will bring your family peace tomorrow.
Pretending “it’ll work itself out” is not a plan! It’s a gamble.
And your loved ones deserve more than guesswork during a crisis.
Ready to Talk About It? I’m Here to Make It Simple.
Whether you already have documents or have never started, I invite you to sit down with me for a complimentary consultation.
We’ll look at what you have, what’s missing, and how to build a plan that gives you — and your family — confidence and clarity.
📞 Call (810) 750-0440
🌐 Visit StartMyEstatePlan.com
Let’s take the mystery out of estate planning.
Let’s make decisions that protect the people you love.
And let’s get real — because your family deserves nothing less.