Estate Planning | Wills and Estate Planning

I remember when I was young, the world had just begun, and I was happy.[i]

When I was younger, so much younger than today[ii].

One more hour and my life will be through[iii].

Can you name the classic pop songs in which these timeless lyrics were sung? If so, then you’re probably at least as old as me, and you are a “Baby Boomer” (born between 1945 and 1965). So what does this have to do with Estate Planning? Well quite a few things, really.

If we’re old enough to remember when these songs first made an impact on popular culture, then we’re at an age when we need to confront some harsh realities about our continued existence. We’re at an age when we have started to recognise that life flashes past at a furious rate – Life is what happens to you when your busy making other plans[iv] and before you know it, you’re retired and contemplating your family’s future without you. (Cue emotional song to tug at heartstrings…ie Cats in the Cradle

[v]

We’re getting older. Maybe our best health is behind us. If we get sick, or suffer some financial misfortune, our ability to “bounce-back” may not be what it once was. We need to get serious about planning for our own future, and for the future of our family. We need to protect our assets, plan for retirement, create a succession plan for our businesses…

It starts to feel like there isn’t enough time to get everything done. Whatever happened to “slowing down & taking things easy”? It seems more like the pace of living is quickening. The ever-increasing cost of healthcare, and the effect of global economic conditions on our superannuation fund returns, are increasing concerns for many of us.

You know you must do some essential planning to protect yourself & your family. Don’t put it off, or you could find yourself on your deathbed wishing you had just one more hour…

Death and taxes (and illness) may be unavoidable … but they don’t have to ruin your family or your business. Make the effort to protect the people you really care about. Call Genders & Partners to create an integrated estate plan. And do it NOW … before it is too late.

Rod Genders is a senior Australian lawyer specialising in accident compensation and estate planning in Adelaide. His boutique specialist law firm is one of the oldest and most respected in Australia – visit it at www.genders.com.au . Rod is also a prolific author and speaker. Some of his articles and books on Wills, Probate, Trusts, Estate Planning, Asset Protection and Retirement Planning may be found at www.genders.com.au/adelaide-lawyer-blog.

[i] Chain – “I Remember When I Was Young”

[ii] Beatles – “Help”

[iii] Bee Gees – “Gotta Get a Message to You”

[iv] John Lennon – “Beautiful Boy”

[v]

Harry Chapin – “Cats in the Cradle”

NEED ADVICE? JUST ASK US A QUESTION. (replies during business hours)

Baby Boomers Estate Planning

About the author

Rod Genders

Rod Genders is a senior Australian lawyer specialising in Wills and Estate Planning, Probate and Estate Administration, Trusts and Guardianship and Inheritance Claims and Contested Estates in South Australia. His boutique specialist law firm, which was founded on 1848, is one of the oldest and most respected in Australia. Rod is the winner of the prestigious 2015/16 Australian Law Award for Sole Practitioner of the Year for the whole of Australia, and is one of only 5 finalists worldwide for the international Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Vulnerable Client Adviser of the Year 2015/16. Rod is an international author and speaker. Rod is the 3rd generation of Genders in the law and has been practising specialised law since the mid 80’s. He has acted as counsel or consultant to in excess of 50 other firms around Australia. Rod holds the SA state record for the highest ever personal injury award of damages, and has been involved in several of the largest personal injury claims in Australian legal history. For over 10 years he served on the Council of the Law Society of South Australia and is a senior member of its Succession Law Committee. Rod is a member of the London-based Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Rod was a founding committee member of STEP South Australia for 8 years and was the founding Chair of the international STEP Digital Assets Special Interest Group. For over 25 years Rod has chaired a private committee enquiring into the affairs of protected persons. He is a member of the Law Council of Australia, a member of the Notaries Society of South Australia and an associate member of the American Bar Association.