“Will I die? When will I die?” These were the unsettling questions that kicked off my Estate Planning class. The room fell silent, students exchanging uncertain glances. These aren’t the kinds of questions we like to think about, but they are the very questions we all must face sooner or later.
The assignment was simple but profound: imagine you were about to die, and you had just ten minutes to decide what would happen next. Where would your children live? Who would inherit your belongings? Who would take care of your aging parents or your beloved pet? The questions kept coming, and as I tried to keep up, I found myself overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.
Even in this hypothetical scenario, where I had the “privilege” of knowing the end was near, I wasn’t prepared. I realized that, like so many others, I had put off the planning I needed to do. I should have sat down with an experienced attorney long before, creating a will and estate plan so that when the time came, I wouldn’t leave my loved ones burdened by uncertainty.
Many people avoid estate planning for reasons that seem valid at the time: “I don’t have enough time,” “It costs too much,” or “I don’t have anything to leave behind.” But these are all misconceptions. If you have time for everyday distractions like watching a movie or scrolling through your phone, you have time to plan for your future.
And while there may be a cost associated with estate planning, the cost of not preparing is far higher. Probate, the legal process of distributing assets when there’s no will, can drain resources, both time and money, from your loved ones.
As for thinking “I don’t have anything,” that’s simply not true. Your life, your wishes, your legacy—these things matter. Even if you don’t have significant financial assets, there are still critical decisions to make. What happens if you become incapacitated? Who will handle your medical care or manage your finances? These are all the things that should be in your estate plan.
This brings me to what we do at The MediLaw Firm. Our job isn’t just to help people create wills or trust; it’s to help them plan for life’s most difficult moments. We take the time to get to know you—your family, your responsibilities, and your wishes—so we can craft an estate plan that truly reflects your needs. It’s not just about distributing assets; it’s about ensuring that your loved ones are cared for, that your legacy is protected, and that your wishes are honored when you’re no longer there to make those decisions.
When I first learned about estate planning, it was through an eye-opening classroom exercise, but it quickly became something much more personal. The realization that so many of us put this off hit home. I learned firsthand that estate planning is a gift to your loved ones. It’s a way to spare them the uncertainty and legal complications that arise when no plan is in place.
At The MediLaw Firm, we work with individuals and families to create estate plans that cover all the important details—wills, trusts, healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and more. We want to ensure that when the time comes, whether expected or unexpected, everything is in place.
Take it from me—there’s no time like the present to start planning. Don’t wait until you’re faced with a hypothetical ten minutes. Planning now is the best way to ensure your peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of, and your wishes respected.
The MediLaw Firm
(305) 444-3484 | [email protected]
4929 SW 74th CT, First Floor,
Miami, FL 33155
The example provided above is fictional and staged for illustrative purposes. At The MediLaw Firm we prioritize client confidentiality, and all client information and real-life scenarios are handled with the utmost discretion and privacy in accordance with legal and ethical standards.