Happy Father's Day: More Than Just Ties and Grills – It's About Legacy.

As an estate planner, my office is a safe space for honest, sometimes raw, discussions with fathers about their children. While we talk about wills, trusts, asset protection and tax efficient strategies, the conversations often drift, beautifully and inevitably, to family. Specifically, to kids. My clients, be they fathers themselves or those planning for their children's futures, speak of their sons and daughters with the full spectrum of emotion. 

On Father's Day (I’m a dad to three wonderful daughters myself), these conversations resonate even more profoundly.

For many dads with whom I work, the act of estate planning isn't just a dry, legal necessity. It's a tangible expression of their love, their hopes, and their commitment to their children. It’s about ensuring that the savings they’ve worked so hard to accumulate, and the values they cherish, continue to protect and provide for their families long after they’re gone.

I’ve heard countless stories:

• The thankful dad who is lucky enough to have several well-adjusted children who are doing just great in this world.  Those are happy conversations and frankly, I want to reach across the conference table and give that dad a high-five.  

• The dad who is sad because of a broken relationship or hopes that have been dashed.  The honesty dads share with me about broken relationships never ceases to amaze me.  Sometimes it’s almost cathartic.  These are difficult things for dads to discuss and for me to hear. The emotion is very real.  It all comes from a place of love and longing.

• The father who sets up a trust for his son with special needs, guaranteeing he will always be cared for, no matter what challenges life brings.  There are some super-hero parents in this world and I’m humbled to help them in their lifelong journey to take care of and love their children.

• The protective father who is not so sure about his child’s choice of partner, ensuring that despite a potentially bad choice in mate, his child’s assets will never be at risk in the event of divorce or overbearing influence.

• The patriarch who, with a twinkle in his eye, outlines how the family lake house will be passed down, not just as valuable real estate, but with a set of rules to keep the peace and as a place where generations of family memories can continue to be made.

• The entrepreneur dad who carefully crafts a succession plan for his business, not just for its continued success, but to provide a secure future for his children who may or may not choose to follow in his footsteps.

  
  

These aren't just transactions; they are heartfelt acts of love. They are fathers, in their own unique ways, saying: "I love you. I want to protect you. I want to provide for you. And I want to ensure that even when I'm not here, my love and support will continue to guide you."

This Father’s Day, as we celebrate the dads in our lives – whether they’re the grill masters, the storytellers, the silent supporters, or the loudest cheerleaders – let's also acknowledge the quiet, profound ways they plan for their families’ futures.

If you’re a dad reading this, I commend you. The foresight and care you put into securing your family’s well-being is one of the greatest gifts you can give. And if you haven’t yet taken steps to solidify your legacy, consider this a gentle nudge. It’s never too early, and it’s always a powerful expression of love.

From my office to your homes, Happy Father's Day. May it be filled with joy, gratitude, and the enduring love of family.

Thinking about your family's future? Let's talk. Contact me this week to discuss how you can secure your legacy for the ones you love.