When it comes to frequently given answers to frequently asked questions I get to roll out a response to "Fiona, what happens to my will if my estate lawyer (ie you!) die this year..." to at least half of my clients.
I spend a lot of time talking to people about what life would look like if they died in the coming year. It's only fair the same scrutiny gets pointed in my direction. Here's the answer:
If Your Estate Lawyer dies: You'll get invited to the memorial service.
I'm choosing to bypass the funeral and opting for the "Click & Cremate" option. When my ashes are returned to my family there will be a celebratory memorial / shared trauma experience at Paxtons winery. All my clients will be invited to come and share stories about my rediculous life. There might be merch; t-shirts printed with "she talked herself to death" or badges with "death becomes her". Something like that.
If Your Estate Lawyer dies: Your will has the guts to stand on its own.
Your will doesn’t need me to hold up after you die. When we complete your estate plan I include all the things that your executors and beneficiaries will need to get the job done after your death using the lawyer of their choice.
One of the longest standing jokes of the legal industry is the tall tale that's been told over and over that the lawyer who drew up the will needs to work with the executors. Click HERE to find out more about why your executors should make their own choice about who to work with to administer your estate.
If Your Estate Lawyer dies: I die but not the business.
It's true, I'm your estate lawyer but Your Estate Lawyer is a company. As a separate legal entity it doesn’t die with me.
If I die there are people who share my business values that will be responsible for deciding which lawyer the business will be sold or gifted to so that my people keep being taken care of in the way they deserve (my will is just as powerful as yours when it comes to looking after the people who are important to me).
If Your Estate Lawyer dies: You will already have talked to your family about your estate plan.
I often hear people say they need to work with the lawyer who drafted their dead person's will because they need the documents / purpose / reeasons for making particular decisions translated for them.
Let's have the conversations with your family now, like a wedding rehersal, so everyone knows the order of events, the game plan and the role they're going to play.
I know for sure that I can be there for that 😊