Life in Order 2025 — Getting Your Ducks in a Row

Pink Magazine's Life in Order — June 2025 Issue

By Lisa Hostetler Brown, Certified Elder Law Attorney,
LawyerLisa Elder Law and Estate Planning Center

 

Life is messy. Let’s plan anyway.

Between juggling careers, caregiving, and carving out a sliver of “me time,” it’s no wonder that so many women put off the business of estate planning. It’s one of those things we all know we should do—but often delay until a life event forces the issue.

Here’s the truth: the best time to get your ducks in a row is when life isn’t in crisis. Estate planning is your opportunity to take control, protect what matters most, and make sure your wishes are honored.

And no—estate planning is not just for retirees or millionaires.

Estate Planning Is More Than Just Documents
A common misconception is that estate planning is just about signing a will or naming who gets what. But real estate planning is about creating a strategy—a roadmap for your assets, your healthcare, your medical decisions, your loved ones, and your life.

It’s about asking:
• Who will make decisions if I can’t?
• What kind of care would I want if my health changes?
• How can I make things easier for my family later?
• How do I avoid unnecessary court costs or delays?

An estate plan answers those questions now, so your family doesn’t have to figure it out later under stress or confusion.

Avoid the Probate Maze
One of the biggest reasons women seek help with estate planning is to avoid probate—and with good reason.

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling your estate if you pass away with just a will or no estate plan at all. It’s public, slow, costly, and stressful for your loved ones. Even simple estates can get tangled in red tape, delays, and legal fees.

A properly drafted and funded revocable living trust, among other tools, can allow your assets to transfer privately, efficiently, and on your terms—without going through probate and without leaving a mess for your family.

What Happens If You Can’t Make Decisions?
Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone. It’s also about what happens if you’re alive but unable to act for yourself—due to illness, injury, or temporary incapacity.

Naming a financial and healthcare power of attorney allows someone you trust to step in and make decisions on your behalf. Without these documents, your loved ones may be forced to go to court to request guardianship or conservatorship, which can be expensive, emotionally draining, and legally complicated.

And let’s be honest: none of us want our family arguing about who should be in charge or what we “would have wanted.” With a plan in place, you’re giving them clarity, comfort, and a major stress-reduction gift.

What Is Elder Law—and Why It’s Not Just for Seniors
Here’s where things get interesting. If you think “elder law” only applies to your parents or grandparents, think again.

Elder law is a specialized area of law that focuses on the legal, financial, and healthcare challenges that come with aging—but the best time to start working with an elder law attorney is before those challenges show up.

Elder law attorneys go beyond basic wills and trusts. They help with:
• Long-term care planning
• Special needs planning
• Medicaid qualification
• Guardianship and conservatorship issues
• Powers of attorney
• Planning for incapacity and life transitions

Even if you’re healthy and still years from retirement, working with an elder law firm means your plan will be built to grow with you—adapting to future needs without starting over.

Think of it like this: If estate planning is building a house, an elder law firm is the architect who designs for the now and what might come later. Elder law attorneys take the proactive approach to give you peace of mind.

Planning for Aging—Even If You’re Not There Yet
Many women are the caregivers in their families—making medical decisions for aging parents, managing households, or keeping things afloat during a crisis. We often do this without a plan in place for ourselves.

That’s where life care planning comes in. It’s a holistic approach that combines legal planning with healthcare coordination, long-term care navigation, and support over your lifetime.

Even if you don’t need those specific services now, it’s smart to work with a firm that understands the full picture—so your plan isn’t just about “who gets what,” but also how you want to live if your health changes later in life.

What to Look for in a Firm
Whether you’re starting your first estate plan or updating one from years ago, the right legal partner matters. Look for a firm that:
• Specializes in elder law and long-term planning
• Offers a comprehensive, not cookie-cutter, approach
• Takes time to understand your family, goals, and concerns
• Builds in flexibility for life’s inevitable changes
• Educates you so you feel empowered, not overwhelmed

Remember: this is your plan. It should reflect your voice, your values, and be built to protect the people and things you care about most.

You Deserve a Plan That Works—Not Just Exists
Estate planning doesn’t have to be scary or stuffy. In fact, most women walk away from the process feeling relieved and empowered—like they’ve finally checked off one of those big “adulting” boxes they’ve been meaning to get to.

So, take that first step. Schedule the consultation. Ask the hard questions. Because life might be messy—but your legacy doesn’t have to be.

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Lisa Hostetler Brown, Certified Elder Law Attorney
LawyerLisa | Certified by the National Elder Law Foundation
843-757-5294 | 2 Hampton Hall Blvd, Bluffton, SC 29910