Greg Hamilton has lived quite the stylish life: helicopter skiing in British Columbia, scuba diving off the coast of Borneo, a South African safari, canoeing in the Boundary Waters, backpacking around Europe.
“We even went cage diving with the great white sharks in Gansbaai,” Greg says. “They are big.”
Even his marriage proposal came on a chair lift during a skiing trip.
“I wouldn't give her the ring, because it wasn't insured," Greg recalls. “She said, ‘Just give me the ring.’”
Nothing happened to the ring, and Greg and his wife have been married for 40 years. But I notice Greg chose caution in the midst of adventure. It’s telling, given he’s an estate planning attorney.
“I like helping people solve problems before they’re problems,” Greg says.
Greg's practice handles wills, trusts, probate, business succession—matters that necessitate having challenging conversations about mortality. But from Greg's perspective, estate planning is more than death planning.
“There are three potential phases of life: when you're alive and well, when you're alive and not so well, and when you're not so alive," Greg says. "You want to do your planning when you’re alive and well.”
Greg’s seen what happens to families who don’t plan.
“Money can do very bad things to a lot of people," he shares. "It can rip families apart—it just is sad to see. And the stuff in the house a lot of times creates more problems than the money. I’ve seen people spend over $10,000 in court fighting over a $10 item.”
There are all sorts of details Greg thinks of that I wouldn’t have, like what happens to frequent flyer miles, or pets, or a cremated parent's ashes.
“I enjoy educating people on possibilities,” Greg says.
Greg recognizes those possibilities aren't always easy to talk about. But he focuses on easing people's minds about the future.
“One lady came in on her birthday," Greg recalls, "and she goes, 'I can't believe I'm giving myself this birthday present.’ It is a present. You get comfort knowing that your wishes are going to be set forth.”
Greg also says the worst time to plan a funeral is when you have to plan a funeral. He shares more stories of interpersonal disasters over that subject.
“Let’s just have an open and frank discussion. I mean, you don't have to tell anyone but me the particulars, but if you want any hymns or Bible passages, let's talk about it."
Greg shares his own funeral plans with a bright smile.
"I’m going to have ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ play," Greg says, "because I want people to sit there for 25 minutes!"
Greg and his wife also plan to be cremated.
“My son always likes to say, ‘Dad. You're dead. I’m going to do what I want to do and you can't stop me.’ And I say, ‘Your mother will probably outlive me, because both her grandmothers lived to 100, and only she has the power to change it.’ And then I remind him that he can get written out of getting anything,” he adds, with that playful smile again.
In contrast to his daring adventures, Greg lives in the same Lathrup Village house he grew up in. That’s where he guided his two sons through Eagle Scouts, and coached three sports for the YMCA.
“I’ve taken some risks in my life,” Greg admits. “But not with the end of life. There, I value peace of mind.”
To contact Greg, visit greghamiltontrust.com