Darlynn Morgan is a fellow OC mommy and family trust attorney with a passion for helping families protect those they love if the unthinkable should happen to them. Not a fun topic, I know. But trust me, getting everything in order the right way will bring you tremendous peace of mind.
She wrote a great post today on three easy steps to get started and is hosting several free seminars coming up in February and March where you can learn more. Details and dates below!
The Busy Mom’s Guide for Getting Your Legal and Financial House in Order in 2012
by Darlynn Morgan of Morgan Law Group
You want the best for your kids, and as a mama you already know that you need to have some type of financial strategy to make this happen over the long-term.
After all, there’s college to plan for, family wealth to think about and choosing legal guardians who could raise your minor kids if something happens to you…..just in case.
For most parents, taking steps to get your legal and financial house in order can feel daunting. I hear from parents all the time who don’t know where to start, confused about who they should talk to and flat-out overwhelmed by all the decisions that need to be made.
I get it, and that’s why my goal this year is to help parents simplify the process of getting their “ducks in a row,” while also helping them make the very best decisions for their loved ones.
If you’re ready to start playing your financial A-game in 2012, here are my top three recommendations of where to start:
1. Utilize tax time - Tax season is a great time to get a handle on your estate. Your financial documents are handy, semi-organized and hopefully up-to-date. You’ll find that getting your affairs in order is much easier, both mentally and logistically, when everything is right in front of you already. Some specific information to keep in mind would be an estimate of your net-worth, assets you own, liabilities, and the amount of insurance policies or retirement accounts you may have.
2. Start with the facts - I’m a big believer in being an “educated consumer,” and I think it’s important to do your own homework before meeting with an advisor of any kind. To help you with this, I’ve created a Kids Protection Planning Kit that you can download here absolutely FREE. It walks you through the next steps, how to avoid common mistakes parents make and more. It’s a great resource for any parent with minor kids at home.
3. Don’t Go At It Alone - When it comes to the protection and long-term security of your children, never go at it alone with DIY will kits or estate planning forms or software. I’ve worked with many parents who unknowingly disinherited future children or left all of their money outright to their kids at the ripe age of 18, thanks to the hard-to-read fine print. Remember, your family is unique, and any type of document that tries to cover your kids with “one size, fits all” language will probably backfire in some way. At the very least, talk to an attorney before you sign. There’s a certificate for you to do it absolutely free in my Kids Protection Planning Kit.
The most important thing is that you take action this year. Start somewhere. If you’re not sure of the next best step to take, download the Kids Protection Kit so you can get empowered and be informed. Remember, the greatest gift you can give your family is the peace of mind knowing everything is taken care of, and these 3 steps will definitely help you get started in the right direction!
February 16th, 2012 at 2pm – Move it Momma Fitness Huntington Beach (in-person event)
February 16th, 2012 at 8pm – Teleseminar (Call in from home after the kids are in bed. Jammies welcome.)
February 21st, 2012 at 1pm – Granola Babies Costa Mesa (in-person event)
March 17th, 2012 at 9am – Xpecting Maternity Costa Mesa (in-person event)
These are *kid-friendly* events! Refreshments, raffles & more!
Click here to register and get more information. Event dates, locations, and times can be found in the right hand column.
[Disclosure: Morgan Law Group is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor.]
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