Girl! Get a Plan!

December 2025

Booming Brilliantly—A Fresh Take on Thriving at Any Age
A Pink Special Section

By Lisa Hostetler Brown, Certified Elder Law Attorney

 

You’ve spent years taking care of everyone—your parents, your children, your grandkids, your career, your household, and let’s be honest… sometimes even the neighbor’s dog. You’re the glue. The fixer. The one people call. But when it comes to planning your own future? Well, that usually gets pushed to “someday,” right?

Maybe you already have a dusty binder or a will from years ago. Maybe you’ve been meaning to “finally get this handled.” Or maybe you’ve never talked with an elder law attorney because the word elder feels a little too… early.

Here’s the truth: Planning isn’t about being old—it’s about being smart. It’s about making sure your wishes, your family, and your peace of mind are protected long before life throws surprises your way. Because estate planning is only the beginning.

What Documents Do I Actually Need?
The better question is “What Plan Do You Need? Sure, you’ll need documents—a will, a power of attorney, healthcare directives, likely a trust. But those papers are just tools. The real magic comes from understanding how and when they work.

A plan answers the real-life questions, like:
> Who’s the person actually stepping in if something happens?
> Do they know what you want?
> Do you know where your documents even are?
> And does your power of attorney actually give enough authority for aging, long-term care, or medical decisions?

Because here’s the kicker: A basic plan may not cover all of the issues that could arise in your future- especially the ones you haven’t even thought of!

Why You Might Need an Update (Even If You “Already Did This”)
Even the most responsible, organized woman can be surprised at how much has changed since she last looked at her documents:
> Laws change. Big updates are coming in 2026 that could affect taxes, trusts, and your overall strategy.
> Life changes. New home? Grandchildren? Investments? Unexpected losses or gains?
> Location matters. If your plan was created in another state, South Carolina rules may treat things differently.
> Asset titling matters. The way your home and accounts are titled can make or break your plan.
> And the big one: Many people are walking around with incomplete or outdated powers of attorney. If you’re over 60, you should have a long-term care power of attorney—something more detailed than the basic version most general estate planning attorneys prepare. Elder law attorneys include specific language that protects you as you age, including provisions tied to government benefits and care decisions.

If You’re Married, Let’s Talk “What If?” (I Know… No One Wants To.)
You and your spouse might have decades of memories together, but if one of you gets sick, things get complicated fast.

You need a plan that answers:
> How do we protect our assets if one of us needs long-term care?
> What will we live on?
> Who will manage the bills, the decisions, the home?
> How do we avoid unnecessary stress when emotions are already high?
These conversations aren’t easy, but avoiding them doesn’t make life easier later. A good plan doesn’t just protect your stuff—it protects your spouse, your sanity, and your family relationships.

Irrevocable Trusts, Prevention Planning, & Proactive Choices
If long-term care or aging-in-place is on your mind (and for many over 60, it is), an irrevocable trust may help protect your assets, while making it easier to qualify for certain benefits in the future. That said, it’s not a “click and buy” solution—and it shouldn’t be. It requires thoughtful conversations about your lifestyle, health, family dynamics, and long-term goals.

That’s where our Prevention Planning comes in.
It’s designed so your loved ones:
> Know what you want > Know who to call
> Know where everything is > Aren’t left guessing or disagreeing
Someday your family will need to pick up the phone and ask for guidance. With Prevention Planning, they’ll talk to someone who already knows you, your wishes, your plan, your “non-negotiables.” Not a stranger. Not a call center. Someone who can walk them through every step with compassion and clarity. That’s how you leave a legacy that feels like a gift, not a burden.

Let’s Sit Down and Chat.
(Really—It’s Just a Conversation.)
Your first meeting with us is simple, relaxed, and all about you.

We’ll talk through things like:
> What keeps you up at night when you think about aging or the future
> Your goals for your family, health, and independence
> Who you trust to make decisions if you can’t
> What supports you’d want in place if you or your spouse got sick

It’s more conversation than checklist, and through this, most women discover very quickly where the gaps in their plan actually are. Together, we’ll figure out what needs refreshing, updating, or rethinking so your plan supports the life you want today and tomorrow.

Planning Isn’t About the End;
it’s About the Life You’re Living Now
This isn’t doom-and-gloom planning. This is confidence planning—the kind that lets you move into your next chapter with clarity, control, and peace of mind. Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating a 15-year-old binder, you deserve a plan that fits who you are now and where you’re going next. Let’s talk about your life, your goals, and the legacy you want to leave—one that reflects your values, your story, and your strength. You’ve cared for everyone else for decades. Now it’s time to make sure your plan cares for you.

Ready to Step Confidently Into Your Next Chapter?
Be proactive. Be prepared. Be protected.

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Call LawyerLisa today and start the conversation. Lisa Hostetler Brown is a certified specialist in elder law and the founding partner of LawyerLisa, an award-winning South Carolina firm known for helping families navigate estate planning, long-term care, and life care planning with confidence and clarity. She and her team focus on compassionate, practical guidance that helps women protect what matters most and plan for every stage of life. Lisa is certified as a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation.