It was my second meeting with the estate planning clients and their advisor. After some initial chit-chat, the couple was ready to discuss the serious questions they needed to answer about estate tax, probate avoidance, distribution, and new guardians, trustees and agents. Before we could turn the corner on those the wife interrupted us all. “Can I say something before we begin?” she asked ominously. Uh oh, I thought, there must be some problems they hadn’t disclosed before.
“Honey,” she slyly said to her husband, “I just want to thank you for scheduling a meeting to talk about our death, disability and other disasters for this day in particular; this is just the way I wanted to spend my Valentine’s Day with you!” It was the first time any of the unromantic men in the room realized we had inadvertently reserved February 14 for our meeting.
When the sheepish laughter subsided, it occurred to me that – though there was plenty of irony in the situation – in actuality these two had committed to finalizing one of the most loving activities any couple can do for each other, for their children, and for many others who would be adversely touched if the unexpected collides with an unplanned estate.
Perhaps this was the perfect Valentine?
Russel G. Robinson
Richmond A. Payne
Wendy K. Widmayer
Melissa A. Wolf
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