Our family recently welcomed the addition of my son, Jackson H. Raemdonck. We’re already smitten with our little guy! In the midst of the planning and excitement of a little one, Jack’s arrival was a catalyst for updating my estate documents, as I’ve done for many clients as their families grow. As I was doing so, I appreciated the heightened need to actualize legal clarity in the event of my passing; among my clients it is ever-more palpable of a desire given the events of this past year and a half. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it was commonly accepted that “the new normal” and “self-care” included proactive steps found in estate planning?! I wanted to encourage my sphere of influence, highlighting my industry’s strengths and offering solutions.
In my postpartum stage, “self-care” is constantly on the forefront of my mind. Oxford Languages defines self-care as, “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.” Though the early days of motherhood are joyous and heartwarming, it is undoubtedly a period of stressful and draining decision making. On the opposite swing of life, however, there are professionals already postured in the tenderness that self-care is rooted. The estate planning field includes individuals who care for the elderly - planners who provide long-term care solutions, aide in hospice and home management solutions, serve in nursing home placement/re-placement/removal. Estate planning also includes estate sale professionals; prearranged coordination for your belongings is taking action to preserve and improve the health of your loved ones in an already stressful period. Having this element of your estate predetermined allows some of my clients to feel like less of a burden, but is also a priceless gift to your beneficiaries to fix such a task! Additionally, financial planning professionals have the opportunity to shift their industry’s rhetoric in a way that positions proactive planning of monies as essential to stress management as scheduling a massage! This element sees benefits throughout your life, not just after your passing!
It is my new endeavour to be a change maker in expanding my clients view of “self-care”. At Legacy Planning and Probate, we genuinely believe making the decisions for tomorrow and completing the documents required, has the potential to relieve pressure and allow clients to enjoy the precious moments in the today! Estate planning can likely mitigate the weight of the unknown and offer a freeing breath, despite the environment of angst and fear many clients, themselves, are experiencing.
Personally, I will have one less worry as a new mom. Documents in estate planning - such as wills, trusts, living wills, power of attorney - all specifically lay out wishes and plans. Knowing an element of the “what if” has been tended to allows me to freely enjoy the snuggles and coos of sweet Jack, with less worry. Worrying less, snuggling more...now THAT is a form of self-care that speaks to me
