Planning for Death or Disability Will Save Your Loved Ones from Headache and Heartache

Photo of eggs with unhappy faces painted on them

by Jess Bolen

I’ve done it. We all have—acted as if what happened to other families who experienced death or disability won’t happen to us. In some respects, it’s the healthy perspective. If we lived our lives expecting everyone else’s misfortunes to befall us, we wouldn’t be able to set foot outside the door. Action is productive, fear is not. Anyone who has Googled their symptoms knows this. What’s productive is calling the doctor and having that test done, so you can stop worrying or get on with treatment.

It’s not the same when it comes to planning for death or disability. There are no symptoms or pains. When the question pops up, “How will my family handle end of life decisions for me if I become incapacitated?” it’s easy to leave it unanswered. If the worry arises that children or grandchildren with special needs would be left in the lurch without you, today’s challenges clamor more loudly.

There are countless other concerns associated with not having a plan in place. Even the most tight knit families fall apart in times of death or disability. Disagreements about care or end of life decisions— or about deciding or interpreting what your wishes really were— can become all out wars.

Maybe you have a plan but you did it online. The do-it-yourself estate plans can be even more dangerous because they give you a false sense of security. You need an estate plan prepared by attorneys who practice exclusively in estate planning, who understand all that can go wrong. And just as you wouldn’t go to a neurosurgeon for orthopedic issues, it’s best to see an attorney who practices exclusively in estate planning, elder law, and post-death work.

There will come a time for all of us that unfinished business can no longer be finished, becoming someone else’s problem. If you’re like I am, you want to remembered for caring enough to ease this burden for them.

Hammond Law Group is making it easy to get started with a free Estate Planning Workshop. Our holistic, educational approach doesn’t just focus on financial assets, but addresses all facets of your legacy. Hammond has made a name for itself in Denver and Colorado Springs for being there to take care of protecting your legacy, so you can focus on living it.

Author Bio

Catherine Hammond is the CEO and founder of Hammond Law Group, a Colorado-based estate planning law firm she founded in 2005. With a strong focus on protecting families from the legal consequences of disability and death, she creates comprehensive estate plans that minimize taxes, costs, and government interference.

A native of Denver, Catherine completed her undergraduate studies at Coe College in Iowa, and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver College of Law in 1993, concentrating on estate planning, tax, and mediation. Catherine is a member of various professional organizations, including WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Colorado Springs Estate Planning Council, and the Purposeful Planning Institute. Beyond her legal expertise, Catherine provides transformational coaching to support clients and their families through life transitions.

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