Don't bury your head in the sand: plan your estate!

It's human nature: we don't like to look at unpleasant things. Correction: we don't like to look at our own unpleasant things - but we'll watch a Jerry Springer marathon or break our necks looking at someone else's car accident. There is a valuable lesson to be had in both, however.

There, but for the grace of God, go I.

Other's misfortunes can be instructive. Plenty can go wrong if you wait to address what happens to your estate if you don't plan. A family heirloom may not descend to a person to whom it should be given. You may not provide appropriately for a spouse or for your children, having re-married, or having spent an exceptional sum for one child at the expense of another. You may not have considered who should be guardian of your minor child in the event you and your spouse pass away simultaneously.

Each and every example above can result in drama and trauma. Each and every example above can result in litigation. If something happened to you, appropriate planning could spare your survivors drama, trauma, and litigation.

Think about it. Don't bury your head in the sand. See an attorney and discuss a simple estate plan.

John C. Kaspar, Esq., Gray and Duning, (513) 932-2871.