02/25/2026
š¼ Dear Professionals: Your ābusy-nessā is not a legal defense.
If you are under 40, youāre likely in the āaccumulation phase.ā Youāre buying homes in Newport or Newton, growing your business, and raising your family. But in 2026, if you donāt have these 5 documents, the state of RI or MA becomes your ādefaultā estate planner.
And trust meāyou wonāt like their fees or their timeline. Here are the 5 essentials every professional needs in their legal portfolio before 40:
1ļøā£ The Revocable Living Trust The āCEOā of your estate. It keeps your assets private and out of probate court. In RI and MA, this is the most effective tool to manage state-level estate taxes and ensure your family has immediate access to funds without a 12-month court delay.
2ļøā£ Durable Power of Attorney This names a trusted person to handle your financial and business affairs (like paying your mortgage or managing your LLC) if youāre ever sidelined by an accident. Without it, your family could be locked out of your accounts exactly when they need them most.
3ļøā£ Guardianship Nominations If you have kids under 18, this is the most important document youāll ever sign. It ensures you choose who raises your children, rather than leaving that massive decision to a judge who has never met your family.
4ļøā£ Health Care Proxy & Living Will These documents name your āmedical voiceā and outline your end-of-life wishes. They prevent family conflict and ensure your preferences are followed in an emergency, keeping the emotional burden off your loved ones.
5ļøā£ The āPour-Overā Will Think of this as your safety net. It ācatchesā any assets you might have forgotten to put in your Trust and āpoursā them into it upon your death, ensuring your entire estate follows one master plan.
Stop āGooglingā your legal future. ā Iāve put everything you need to know into my new book: āDeath, Taxes and ChangeāA Practical Guide to Estate Planning.ā
Whether you are protecting an LLC or securing your kidsā future, this is your roadmap.
Want a copy? Iām mailing out a limited number of free copies this week. š Comment āBOOKā below and Iāll send you a FREE physical copy in the mail!