Estate planning season

By Patricia Nugent

You may not associate millennials and younger generations with showing an interest in writing their last wills, but this is becoming a bona fide post-pandemic trend.

“It seems that everyone knows a person who passed away from Covid-19,” says local attorney Margaret T. Karl. “And maybe that person passed away suddenly, without having their final wishes in order. I’m seeing renewed interest in younger people wanting to take care of their estate planning, as well as get their parents started. I’d say the mindset of younger generations is focused on practicality.”

The holidays are an especially busy time for Margie.

“Adult children may come into town over Thanksgiving and notice their senior parents have slipped,” she says. “Since they know they’ll be back here for Christmas, they make an appointment to come see me then. It’s also a period when most people are off for a few weeks and can set up an appointment. And there are always last-minute clients who have a trip planned and want to get this done before they leave.”

Luckily, the process is much easier than you’d expect. Most people can have estate planning done in an hour or two, for only a couple hundred dollars.

“No matter what your age, the main purpose of a will is protection of your assets,” she explains. “It gives you the power to decide how and to whom they will be distributed, as well as the chance to name guardians for your children.”

Margaret T. Karl, Attorney at Law is located at 25800 North Depot Street, Suite 102, in Olmsted Falls. Call 440-782-5051 or visit OlmstedOhioLaw.com.

Dos and Donuts of Downsizing Seminar
Find out more about avoiding estate planning pitfalls at this informational seminar, set for Tuesday, January 10, at 10 a.m., at Danbury of North Ridgeville, 33770 Bagley Road.