Why Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Wealthy—It’s for the Wise
You worked hard for everything you have—don’t let the courts decide what happens to it.
Dear Crusaders,
When most people hear “estate planning,” they think it’s something reserved for the ultra-wealthy or retirees. But here’s the truth: Estate planning is not about how much you have—it’s about protecting what you have and making sure it gets to the people you love with the least amount of delay, cost, and confusion.
What Exactly Is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is the process of legally structuring your assets and medical wishes so that if you become incapacitated—or when you pass—your affairs are handled exactly how you want.
At its core, a comprehensive estate plan includes:
Will - your will names beneficiaries, assigns guardians for minor children, and designates an executor.
⚠️ But it does not avoid probate.Trust - revocable or irrevocable, a trust allows your assets to bypass probate entirely. It ensures privacy, avoids delays, and can help reduce estate taxes. It’s especially useful if you own real estate, have blended families, or want more control over how your assets are distributed.
Medical Directive (Advance Healthcare Directive) - this legal document outlines your healthcare wishes if you are ever unable to communicate them yourself (life support, organ donation, etc.).
HIPAA Release - authorizes specific people (often family) to access your medical information. Without it, even spouses may be denied critical health updates.
Durable Power of Attorney - empowers someone you trust to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf if you're incapacitated.
Life Insurance - protects your family by providing immediate liquidity upon death—useful for funeral expenses, paying off debt, or even covering estate taxes.
The Probate Problem
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating your will, paying off debts, and distributing your assets.
Time - often takes 9–24 months
Cost - legal fees can eat up 5–10% of your estate
Stress - your family may be stuck in legal limbo, often during their most emotional and vulnerable time
Public Exposure - Probate is public—anyone can see what you owned and who’s getting what
If you only have a will—or worse, no plan at all—your family could be in for a long, expensive ride through the court system.
The Stakes Are Higher for Parents with Minor Children
If you die without a will (intestate), the court decides who raises your kids.
Let that sink in: a judge, not you, will choose your children’s legal guardian.
And while your loved ones are trying to navigate that mess, any inheritance meant for your kids will be held in a court-supervised account until they turn 18—at which point it’s handed over in full, no matter how financially mature (or not) they may be.
Leaving Real Estate with Only a Will? Think Again
Leaving real estate to heirs through a will often triggers probate and potential capital gains tax issues. In many states, this can:
Delay transfer of property for months or longer
Rack up legal costs and property maintenance expenses
Result in a higher tax burden for heirs if not structured properly
A revocable living trust or transfer-on-death deed can help avoid probate, reduce taxes, and allow for smoother transitions.
Other Crucial Elements of an Estate Plan
Beneficiary Designations: Retirement accounts, pensions, and life insurance policies bypass the will entirely. Make sure they’re updated!
Letter of Intent: Non-legal document that shares wishes for funeral arrangements, digital accounts, or family heirlooms.
Business Succession Plan: If you’re a business owner, your estate plan should address who will take over—or how it will be sold.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Whether you’re 35 or 65, married or single, with kids or without—estate planning protects the people and legacy you care about most.
You don’t need millions to need an estate plan. You just need to care about what happens to the people you love.
To Protecting Your Family and Wealth,
Nabila Feroze
CEO & Founder, Financial Crusaders
