Father’s Day is often celebrated with grilling, gifts, and family time – but the best gift you can give your loved ones is true peace of mind. As a dad, you work hard to provide for your family today. Yet many fathers leave a critical question unanswered: What happens to my family if something happens to me?
Too often, well-intentioned dads buy life insurance or sign a basic will and think they’re covered. Unfortunately, those steps alone can fail when your family needs help the most. A will may still have to go through probate (a public, time-consuming court process). Insurance proceeds can be delayed. Accounts and passwords may be hard to find. Outdated documents might name the wrong guardians for your kids. All of this creates stress and costs money – right when your family is grieving.
Why Traditional “Document-Only” Planning Falls Short
A stack of papers in a drawer does not tell your spouse where to find every account, how to pay the mortgage next month, or who can immediately care for your children. Real planning must:
- List every asset clearly – bank accounts, retirement funds, digital assets, even sentimental items.
- Name the right decision-makers and backups for finances, medical care, and guardianship.
- Provide easy access to critical information, so bills don’t pile up and assets aren’t lost.
- Stay up to date as your life, your relationships, and the law change.
- Offer a trusted advisor your family can call for guidance when you’re not there.
Life & Legacy Planning: Protection That Works
That’s why I use a Life & Legacy Planning process. It goes far beyond a one-time set of documents:
- Comprehensive Inventory: Together we capture everything you own and keep that list current.
- Clear Instructions: Your spouse and chosen helpers receive step-by-step guidance for what to do first, how to access money, and how to manage your children’s daily needs.
- Values & Stories: Through a simple recording, you pass on the lessons, traditions, and messages you want your kids to remember.
- Regular Reviews: We meet periodically to update your plan so it works no matter how life changes.
- Ongoing Relationship: I’m here for you during your lifetime and for your family after you’re gone, so they’re never left to figure it out alone.
A Father’s Real-Life Scenario
Imagine a dad with two young kids who dies suddenly. He had life insurance and a will, but no comprehensive plan. His wife must wait months for the court to approve the will and the insurer to release funds. She’s unsure which bills are on autopay or where key accounts are. Meanwhile, guardians named years ago are no longer a good fit. All of this could have been avoided with a Life & Legacy Plan.
Be the Dad Who Plans Ahead
Fatherhood is about more than showing up today – it’s about safeguarding tomorrow. This Father’s Day, commit to giving your family the security they deserve.
At Cheever Law, we don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love, starting with a valuable and educational Life & Legacy Planning Session. This will allow you to get more financially organized and make the best choices for the people you love. If you have already completed your estate plan, we will review that plan at your Life & Legacy Planning Session to ensure that it will work the way you intend and address any holes or gaps that may be present if circumstances have changed since you executed your plan.
To learn more about our one-of-a-kind systems and services, contact us or schedule a no-obligation 15-minute introductory phone call today.