Why Your Estate Planning Attorney and Financial Advisor Should Be on Your Side of the Table
By Chris Gaughan, Gaughan & Connealy Estate Planning Attorneys
When it comes to your financial future, we all know there’s more to the puzzle than just saving a few bucks here and there. Estate planning is one of those big, scary terms that most people avoid until, well, it’s a bit too late (cue the sound of the Grim Reaper’s footsteps).
But what if I told you that planning your estate can actually be a breeze, with a bit of teamwork? And no, I’m not talking about you versus your financial advisor in a winner-takes-all battle of spreadsheets. I’m talking about all of us—your estate planning attorney, your financial advisor, and you—being on the same side of the table, working together to make sure your legacy is protected.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work (Especially When It’s Your Estate)
Picture this: You’ve got your financial advisor on one side, meticulously planning out your investments, IRAs, and those little quirks in the tax code that make sure you get the most bang for your buck. Then you’ve got your estate planning attorney (that’s us!) on the other side, ensuring your will, trust, and all those important legal documents are airtight, legally sound, and not gathering dust in a drawer somewhere.
Separately, they’re doing a great job. But together? That’s when the magic happens.
By having your financial advisor and estate planning attorney on the same side of the table, they can collaborate, spot opportunities, and catch potential pitfalls before they become major issues. It’s like getting a double defense against the things that could mess up your financial future. And who doesn’t love that?
And did you know that not all advisors are fiduciaries, and those who aren’t are held to lower standards of care?
“I’ll Do It Later” Syndrome: Avoid It!
We’ve all been there. “I’ll get to it later,” you think. But trust me, later comes faster than you think. And the last thing you want is for ‘later’ to become ‘too late.’ The good news? Our team at Gaughan & Connealy is trained and ready to help you get your wills, trusts, and estate plans in place now, so future-you can sit back, relax, and thank past-you for being so proactive.
Need help with the technical stuff? We’ve got you. Unsure of what a trust actually does? We’ll explain it in plain English—no legalese required. Worried you’ll end up leaving your prized possessions to your cat instead of your kids? Don’t worry. (Though if your cat does need a trust, we’re totally on board.)
We’re Here to Help You—Deftly
If you’ve been putting off estate planning because it sounds intimidating or time-consuming, let me be the first to say, you’re not alone. But also, you’ve got this! Our highly trained staff is ready to help you every step of the way. Whether it’s answering your questions, setting up your trusts, or making sure everything is buttoned up so you can sleep soundly, we’re here for you. And we promise, we make it as painless as possible.
Don’t Wait—Get Ahead of the Game!
So, the next time you’re thinking about your financial future, remember: you want your estate planning attorney and your financial advisor working together—on your side of the table. It’s a win-win. And hey, we’re here to make sure you win.
At Gaughan & Connealy, we’re just a phone call (or a cat-trust inquiry) away.
Chris Gaughan is a founding attorney at Gaughan & Connealy, where he helps clients avoid the pitfalls of procrastination and get their wills and trusts set up before it’s too late. Come to one of my workshops to learn more about how he makes it easy for families in Kansas City to get their ducks in a row.
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