Estate planning often lands in the category of things to do someday, a task to be handled after the kids are raised, or the business has grown, or life slows down.
But according to the team at Legacy Law Firm, waiting is one of the biggest mistakes families make.
Laura Sossamon, founder, explains, “Create a plan based on your life as it looks today because you can always change and amend it later.” At its core, proactive estate planning isn’t about preparing for death; it is about protecting the people you love and preserving the unity of your family long-term. The first step of estate planning at Legacy Law Firm is listening. The first consultation isn’t about signing documents; it is about understanding the full picture: assets, debts, business interests, retirement goals, and family dynamics. Asking questions like, "Do you have minor children? A blended family? A child with special needs? Is there a business that would need leadership if something happened?" “There’s no one-size-fits-all plan,” Laura Sossamon explains. “Every family is unique, and their estate plan should reflect that.”
From there, clients typically consider three primary planning tools: a last will and testament, a revocable living trust, or, in certain situations, an irrevocable trust. Each option serves a different purpose, depending on the family’s goals and complexity. To make trusts easier to understand, the firm uses a simple analogy. “Think of a trust like a box,” she says. “When you sign the trust document, you’ve created the box. But you have to put your assets inside it. Whatever is inside that box avoids probate.” Funding the trust is an important step that is often overlooked; without it, even a carefully drafted trust may not accomplish its true purpose. The “box” analogy reflects the firm’s broader commitment to client education. The firm encourages its clients to understand not only what they are signing, but also how it works and why it matters.
The DOs of Proactive Planning
Laura Sossamon lays out her firm’s recommendations for estate planning.
- Do create a plan based on your current circumstances. Life can change, but revocable trusts and wills can be amended as needed.
- Do review your estate plan regularly. Major life events like marriages, divorces, births, deaths, or significant financial changes are cause for an update.
- Do name guardians for minor children. For parents, this is one of the most critical decisions they can make. Without clear instructions, the state will decide.
- Do thoughtfully structure inheritances for young beneficiaries. Leaving a large sum to an 18-year-old rarely produces the desired outcome. Staggered distributions tied to age or milestones can protect and guide the next generation.
- Do communicate your intentions. Clear conversations with family members can prevent confusion, jealousy, and misunderstandings later.
There are also many misconceptions or “don’ts” in estate planning that can create unnecessary stressors. Many people assume that having a will means their estate will avoid probate, but it doesn’t. The purpose of a will is to dictate how assets are distributed, but it still requires a court-supervised process that can take several months and become part of the public record, losing your sense of privacy. Another misconception is that a surviving spouse will automatically inherit everything. But, without a clear plan established, under state law, assets may be divided between a spouse and children, which can create complications, particularly in blended families. “Upon property ownership, estate planning starts to become important,” Laura said, “but upon marriage and children or business ownership, it becomes absolutely critical.”
Finally, dying without any plan, known as dying intestate, leaves asset distribution entirely up to state statutes. This can produce results that do not reflect a family’s actual wishes. While estate planning primarily focuses on financial assets and documentation, its deeper purpose is relational. Creating an intentional plan is not only a stress reliever for the client but also protects minor children and vulnerable beneficiaries. It ensures business continuity. It preserves privacy and avoids probate. And most importantly, it alleviates the risk of conflict during an already emotional time. Probate alone can take up to seven months or longer, and during this time, assets may be inaccessible. A properly funded and established trust can significantly smooth out a very challenging process.
For business owners, proactive planning is critical. Without a succession plan, operations can stall overnight, affecting employees, clients, and contracts. “Putting a plan in place is an act of love,” Sossamon says. “You’re removing confusion. You’re providing peace of mind. You’re protecting the people who depend on you.”
Founded six and a half years ago, Legacy Law Firm has grown with a clear mission in mind. Its core values, humility, truth, courage, and love, guide client interactions and internal culture. Laura Sossamon starts weekly team meetings, including affirmations, reinforcing unity and shared purpose among attorneys and staff. The firm’s vision is to transform the practice of law by creating a culture where passion for truth and justice flows from love. That philosophy carries into all the work the team does and every estate plan drafted. Because the firm believes legacy is not just about transferring wealth. It’s about preserving unity, protecting children, and ensuring that what you’ve built continues to bless the next generation.
Proactive estate planning may not feel urgent, but it is extremely important, and at Legacy Law Firm, the goal is to help families move forward with clarity and confidence long before crisis strikes.
And in doing so, help build a legacy that lasts.
"Our core values of humility, truth, courage, and love are the lens that we're looking through in everything that we do," Laura Sossamon said. "And our vision is to transform the practice of law by creating a culture where passion for truth and justice flows from love.