Got will? Posthumous pachinko . . .

Pachinko was a popular game wherein you launched a ball bearing through a vertical board covered with pins and pockets in order to gain points - or in some cases, lose your bearing. Each pin or pocket influenced the ultimate destination of your bearing like a contingency.

Your will is a series of contingencies, pins that influence the ultimate destination of your estate: "If I die, then I direct that my estate be given to my spouse. . . If my spouse predeceases me, then I direct that my estate be divided among my children . . . If any of my children predecease me, that I direct that that child's share shall descend to his/her heirs . . . If my child is not survived by heirs, then I direct said child's share shall lapse . . ."

These contingencies are not limited to gifting. They encompass provisions for testamentary trusts involving heirs, for minors who inherit at the time of the testator's death, for guardianship provisions, and so on.

Estate planning can be like playing pachinko. An attorney can help you navigate the contingencies in a way that takes minimizes the chance of an unexpected result. Don't leave appointment of a guardian for your minor children to chance. Don't take the chance that your hard-earned estate go to persons you did not anticipate. Plan for the pins and avoid the pockets.

If you don't have a will, contact Gray and Duning to make an appointment. For simple wills as well as other estate planning instruments, we can provide your legal services on the same day. If you call before the close of business on February 12 to set up an appointment and mention LinkedIn, we'll draft a simple will, power of attorney, durable medical power of attorney and living will for you for $300.00. The appointment will last no more than two hours and you'll leave with basic estate planning documents in place. Contact Tia at (513) 932-2871 to set up an appointment.