Modern Estate Planning Blog

When you think of Generation X, what comes to mind? Many of us in Sacramento fondly remember things like flannel shirts, grunge music, and movies like Reality Bites. Our vision of the generation that followed the Baby Boomers is firmly frozen in time. But, Generation X is all grown up now, many with their own kids graduating from high school.

The members of this generation are no longer the angst-ridden youth trying to figure out where they fit in this world. Instead, they are adults with real jobs, real retirement plans, life insurance and health problems. Along with all these things, they are people who need to do their estate planning. Lawyers in Sacramento are working with more and more members of Generation X, but many still don’t seem to realize that estate planning applies to them.

Maybe they don’t feel that they’re old enough, or they believe they don’t have enough assets to need to put together a will or other legal documents. The truth is, though, that these assumptions are false.

Preparing for the “Just In Case”

First of all, the best time to work with a Sacramento estate planning attorney is when you are younger and healthy. By doing so, you will already have the right documents in place should you suddenly become ill or injured. Without a medical power of attorney, for example, the courts will decide who makes your medical decisions for you if you can’t. Or, without a proper will or trust, the courts in Sacramento will also decide who becomes the guardian of your children. This alone should be enough to send Gen Xers running to their estate planning lawyers!

Just because you don’t have a lot of assets doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take steps to protect what you have. Again, if you die without a will in place, the courts will be making all of your decisions for you. You may have always intended for your best friend to have that silver and turquoise necklace you bought together on spring break in 1992, but if you haven’t specified that in a will, then it will probably end up in a relative’s possession.

Planning for Your Financial Future

Finally, a will attorney in Sacramento can help advise you on what steps you should be taking to prepare for retirement and beyond. He or she can help direct you toward the best option for retirement accounts, what type of life insurance policy meets your needs, and how to ensure that your estate owes the least amount of taxes when you do die, therefore leaving more for your family and other heirs.

If you are ready to get started with this process of learning how to get your affairs in order and best protect your assets, your wishes and the people you love, give our Sacramento lawyers a call at (916) 241-9661 and ask to schedule a Peace of Mind Planning Session; mention of this article and we’ll waive the consultation fee.