How Proper Estate Planning Is Like Going to the Doctor

I often compare estate planning to the practice of medicine.

The average person who goes to the doctor presents with a medical issue and is looking for a treatment to help alleviate their symptoms. After performing a thorough review of the patient’s family, social, and medical history, the doctor will provide a treatment regimen for the patient to follow.

In my legal practice, I often receive a phone call from a client who will say “I want you to draft my Will” or “I want you to draft a Trust.” The medical equivalent of making these demands is to say to a doctor “I want you to prescribe me Klonopin” or “I want you to prescribe me Oxycodone” without letting them know anything about why you need those medications.

Just as it would be irresponsible for a doctor to blindly prescribe you a medication without assessing your symptoms and medical history, it would be irresponsible for me, as a lawyer, to blindly draft an estate planning document without knowing what your family situation or priorities are.

And yet, when people think of estate planning, the first thought that comes to their head is an ad from a do-it-yourself estate planning website. If estate planning lawyers are like doctors, then do-it-yourself estate plans are like drug dispensaries! In both cases, the product you receive may work. But just as a drug dispensary cannot help you come up with an effective treatment plan, a do-it-yourself estate planning website will not help you think through how to best accomplish your goals.

Further, regular visits to the doctor are essential to review your health status, adjust treatment plans, and address any changes or new concerns. Likewise, estate planning requires periodic reviews and updates. Life events such as marriages, divorces, births, deaths, changes in financial circumstances, or alterations in tax laws may necessitate revisions to your estate plan.

In both cases, the goal is to protect your well-being and the well-being of your loved ones. Just as visiting a doctor addresses your physical and mental health, estate planning focuses on your financial and family affairs. Drafting an estate plan requires thoughtful consideration, professional guidance, and periodic updates to ensure optimal outcomes.

If you have any questions about estate planning, we highly recommend talking to an experienced estate planning lawyer. We serve families living in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. Call us today at 703-558-9311 to schedule your free consultation with us or click here to fill out our contact form and we will give you a call.