The Lighter Side of Estate Planning

Estate planning isn’t always serious business. Perhaps you’re familiar with this well known joke that was recently emailed to me:

When a shy and homely young man found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed a woman with which to enjoy it. So one evening he went out to a singles bar where he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her face, her form, her hair, her smile. . . all were perfection. 

“I may look like just an ordinary guy,” he told her, “but my father is on his deathbed, and when he dies I will inherit 50 million dollars. Marry me and you can have half.” Impressed, the woman went home with him that very evening, only to disappear the next morning. . .

Three days later she became his stepmother.

It’s important to remember the lighter side of life. But it’s also important to remember that each successful joke is funny because it has a grain of truth to it. Our recent blog post, Getting Married? Call Your Estate Planning Attorney, addresses the grain of truth found in this particular joke.

Many people mistakenly think that estate planning is morbid or sad. It is not at all, it doesn’t have to be if you plan early enough. It is important, however. Imagine how your kids will enjoy this particular joke a whole lot more if they know you have a plan in place protecting their best interests. Lighten your life a little bit by taking care of this one essential thing.