One of the more rewarding aspects of serving families at Forward Inheritance is that folks will share stories about how a relative or close friend handled their estate process. It’s a deeply personal experience, and we treat these moments with the respect they deserve. This is their life and family and money, and it matters.
A common refrain, however, is how so-and-so left behind an absolute mess. Or no paperwork at all. Or conflicting instructions. And while I have (and will continue to) spill ink about the Harder Now, Easier Later or Easier Now, Harder Later ethos, the oft-quoted @KurtSupeCPA on X has outlined this issue succinctly again in a recent post:
"Complex estate. Multiple accounts. He manages everything. No document telling her where anything is. No list of accounts. No passwords. No advisor contacts written down.
A spouse spends 40 years trusting the other one to handle it. Then one day the one who handles it can't anymore. And suddenly there's a crisis inside the grief. This isn't a morbid conversation. It's a loving one.
Does your spouse know where everything is? Not "could they figure it out." Could they find it. Tomorrow. Without you."
What if that didn’t have to happen? What if we could have productive estate planning conversations now to prevent a crisis in the future? Forward Inheritance is purpose-built to solve this and the many, many other problems with the estate process.
When is the best time to dig a well? Before you’re thirsty. Let’s help ourselves and help move our families forward…