Worst Case Scenario

For years we have been following influencers who sold everything to travel the world. None of them talked about estate planning before they left. Why not?

Even though we are only planning to be gone for one year, life-altering experiences in our past told us that we needed to have some estate documents before we left. Because we are an unmarried couple and do not have USA laws to protect us as a married couple, our planning included documentation for Medical Power of Attorney, Financial Power of Attorney, and a Will. We are the kind of people that plan for the worst and hope for the best. Consequently, we prepared for a major medical accident in a foreign country with one of us needing life-or-death decisions made by the other. We pray, of course, not to need these documents while we are traveling.

What to expect when you draft a will?

For some people a will can be as simple as purchasing draft documents online or at an office supply store, then filling in the blank spaces. For other people, using legal services is preferred or required due to complications of their life. Either way, it is recommended that you draft and notarize a will long before you need it. Making the appointment is as easy as calling for a doctor appointment. Here is an example of how an in-person appointment might go.

Today we arrived at the lawyer's office. They had us sit in a conference room until the lawyer could join us. When he arrived, we explained our individual needs for a will. Yes, we are healthy, and of sound mind. Then we answered a bunch of questions while the lawyer took notes treating each of us as separate clients with separate interviews.

• Where do I reside

• Do I have children?

  • What are their names and birth dates?

  • If they are minor children, who will be the guardian?

  • Do I want a trust for them?

• Do I own a house, business, or other large assets?

  • What do I see happening to those when I pass away?

After the initial appointment was finished, we paid the fees for the wills. Over the next week, the legal team spent time drafting the documents and sent them for our review in e-mail format. We edited the documents for name spellings and clarity and they adjusted the drafts. Then, we scheduled a final appointment. This final appointment required us to sign the formal will with the notary present. Final copies were stamped, and we took the originals and copies home.

Please make sure to store your original will in a safe place where loved ones can find it easily. It is also recommended to send a copy to the executor of your estate and any other children, family, friends who would be carrying out your final requests. Please consider making a will now in your life, paying the fee is the hardest part of the process.